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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)
In this song cycle, Ukifune, an unrecognized daughter of the Eighth Prince, is featured. Episodes are drawn from the chapters 'A Boat upon the Waters' (Ukifune) and 'At Writing Practice' (Tenarai) of 'The Tale of Genji.'

Ukifune, who was loved by both Kaoru and Prince Niou, had secretly been agonizing from indecision. Eventually in order to release herself from the triangular love affair, she attempted suicide by throwing herself into the Uji River but was unsuccessful. Having been rescued, she became a nun and secluded herself in Ono, at the western foot of Mount Hici.

This song cycle displays innovations of Mitsuhashi, a prolific composer of koto kumiuta, and includes extraordinary long phrases of 9+8, 8+5, and 8+9 syllables

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Without expressing
My anguish,
Eventually I threw myself
Into the Uji River in Yamashiro.
Yet I could not sink deep enough,
And I do not know
Where I will drift to.
How lamentable is my fate!

In a tiny boat
Carrying brush and wattles,
I travel this miserable world.
When I look at the water dripping
From the end of the boatman's oar,
My thoughts turn to the past,
And my sleeves become soaked
With tears.

How hard is it to divide
A comb-box in two.
Hopelessly fated am I
To play a double love.
Tormented is
My single heart-
The same confusing thoughts
Over and over again.

In seclusion
At the quiet Ono retreat:
She was afraid to be heard
Or seen,
Even by wind from the summit
Or by a young stag,
She suppressed her voice
Modestly.

Neither the two ancient verses,
Nor something special
Has she in mind
When she seats herself
At the inkstone.
Yet it is in writing practice
That she passes her hours of idleness
And silent tears.

Has autumn deepened already
On the paddy field?
When the young maidservants
Among the rice plants
Join their charming voices
In harvest songs,
Wild geese echo them
In the distant sky.

Ukifune appears on the following albums:

Album	Shakuhachi	Koto	Shamisen
How to Play the Shamisen and the Koto  (Listen)			Kikukazu Chihoko