ISS Logo

The International Shakuhachi Society

- Suma -

須磨

Home

Schools

Discography

Lineage Charts

Pieces

People

Glossary

Other Sites

Teachers

Governors

For Sale

Member's Area

Search komuso.com

This is a Sokyoku piece in the Kumiuta style from the Ikuta Ryű school . This piece was composed for koto by Yatsuhashi Kengyo .

History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Suma is one of the 'Thirteen Yatsuhashi Song Cycles.' Four of the six songs are derived from 'The Tale of Genji, the first and fifth songs are based on the 'Suma' chapter (hence the title 'Suma'); the second is based on 'The Typhoon' (Nowaki); and the last is based on 'Evening Faces' (Yugao).

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Suma is but the name of a bay.
Akashi is also the name of a bay.
Yet both are renowned
For the view of the moon,
Comparable to the moon
Of Sarashina:
Though we never tire of the view,
It's time to go home.

Once drawn to spring blossoms,
The heart, unaware
Turns to the autumn garden
Of Lady Akikonomu.
Within low fences
Of black wood and red
Bloom her noble flowers
In profusion.

Crickets-
What grief
Brings you together
To cry the night through?
I too can hardly bear
My sorrow,
And your lament increases
The turmoil of my heart.

Rather,
I shall not feel bitter
Toward her.
Or should I?
After all,
My insignificance
Beside her
Is what makes me sad.

The rising moon
On the Fifteenth Night
Of the Eighth month.
Flawless! How beautiful!
A thousand leagues away,
You too, my friend,
Will surely pass the night
Gazing at this moon.

Late at night
The moon is exceedingly clear.
That sound of the carriage
Is the Shining Prince
On his way to a humble abode
On Gojo Street,
White evening faces
To guide him.

Suma appears on the following albums:



Send feedback and corrections.

Copyright 2007 - The International Shakuhachi Society
This information on this page may not be copied for commercial use.