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

History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
This kumiuta was composed by Mitsuhashi, who went to Edo (the present Tokyo) and attempted for the first time to disseminate sokyoku of the Ikuta School there. A prolific composer of kumiuta, he left at least eight of his own compositions and one restoration of an older song cycle (Hashihime).

Tamakazura is based on six chapters (22-27) of 'The Tale of Genji.' The text of the first song is derived from a waka poem by Prince Genji contained in 'Jeweled Chaplet' (Tamakazura); the second song is derived from 'The First Warbler' (Hatsune); the third song from 'Butterflies' (Kocho); the fourth from 'Fireflies' (Hotaru); the fifth from 'Wild Carnations' (Tokonatsu); and the sixth from 'Flares' (Kagaribi).

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
What has drawn me
To the jeweled chaplet,
Kin to the evening faces?
Was it the dew?
Our bond
Has sustained my yearning
For so long-
How could it be transient?

The warbler who sang so elegantly
The first song of spring,
Left home long ago;
Now she has come back
To visit her old nest
In the waiting pine.
How peaceful and calm
Is New Year day!

Butterflies flutter about
The cherry blossoms and yellow rose
On the bamboo fence;
The dance of the butterflies
Lasts but a moment
Yet I never tire of gazing
At the sight,
And the day comes to an end.

The firefly,
Saying nothing
But with his heart in flames
Of single-minded love,
Threw light on her face
Through a thin silk cloth.
Since then her image has
Lived in his memory.

The wild carnations
Blooming profusely
On the bamboo fence;
Their constant color recalls to him
That first beloved dew
Of long ago,
Treasured secretly
Deep in his heart.

The smoke
From my heart,
Twisting and rising
With the watch-fire
Grows to an undying flame
As the night wears on.
Who knows where
My love will lead?