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This is a Sokyoku piece
in the Kumiuta style
from the Ikuta Ryű school
.
Toryu Shiki Genji is also known as: Otome No Kyoku.
This piece was composed for koto by Yatsuhashi Kengyo
.
History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
The composer of this song cycle is unknown. It is however, attributed to Ikuta Kengyo (1656-1715), having, until recently, been transmitted as a secret piece of the Ikuta School. The title literally means 'Genji in Four Seasons: New Version,' which was apparently composed in contrast to Koryu Shiki-Genji ('Genji in the Four Seasons: Old Version').
The text of the five songs in this kumiuta is mainly based on 'The Maiden' (Otome) chapter tale of 'The Tale of Genji.' Hence this song cycle is sometimes called Shiki-Genji: Otome no kyoku.
Each of the first four songs, the fifth being an epilogue, refers to one of the four quarters of Genji's newly built Rokujo Mansion, to the lady occupying that quarter, and to the season represented by the lady: spring for Murasaki, summer for Hanachirusato ('the Lady of the Orange Blossoms'), autumn for Akikonomu, and winter for the Lady of Akashi
There is a prelude (jo), and after the fourth song, an instrumental interlude (gaku) called 'Gin no shirabe.'
Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Scattered in the wind,
Fleeting are the autumn leaves.
I wish to see
The unforgettable color
Of spring blossoms
Return and endure
As long as the evergreen pine
At the crag.
At this remote
At this remote
And neglected dwelling,
The orange blossoms at the eaves
Are the only guide
For the cuckoo (1) who
Returns, drawn by
Sweet memories.
Naturally
Naturally
Your garden eagerly awaits
The spring flowers.
Let the winds whisper to you
About the autumn leaves
Now coloring the bamboo fence
At my dwelling.
Frozen
Frozen,
The water between the rocks
Hesitates to flow
Only the moon in the clear sky,
Reflected on the stilled brook,
Moves westward,
Moves westward.
Flowers of spring
And leaves of autumn,
Once never wearied of,
Are now forgotten.
How many winter nights have I lain awake
To view the daybreak
Reflected on the snow at Akashi.
What destiny binds us?
(1) The cuckoo refers to Genji.
(2) Based on Murasaki's poem in the chapter 'The Morning Glory' (Asagao).
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