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This is a Modern piece . This piece was composed for koto by Miki Minoru .

Sao no Kyoku appears on the following albums:

Album	Shakuhachi	Koto	Shamisen
Minoru Miki Selected Works II  (Listen)		Nosaka Keiko
Miki's image of autumn is in sharp contrast to the static spring of Sao. There is a frantic violence that energizes this piece, relieved only by a few moments of calm midway through. This composition diverges much farther from traditional Japanese music than the previous two works. The left hand is employed more extensively here than previously, foreshadowing its increased use in future Miki pieces. The rapid strumming pattern which begins the piece and recurs throughout is technically very difficult. Overall, Tatsuta-no-Kyoku is a virtuoso number which is as exciting to watch as to listen to; perhaps this is why so many performers have taken on the challenges provided by this work.