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This is a Sokyoku piece from the Yamada Ryű school . This piece was composed for koto by Yamada Kengyo .

History (from Tsuge Gen'ichi)
This short song, entitled Yamazakura ('Mountain Cherry Blossoms'), is often performed by beginners of the Yamada School koto. The text likens the fickle hearts of women to ephemeral cherry blossoms, singing of the uncertainty of love in this floating world.

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
Intoxicated with the warmth
Of a peaceful spring day,
Buds on the cherry trees
Open their hearts
In grateful abandon.
But yesterday's pledge of love
Is another story today:
From an unexpected direction
Mountain gusts
Steal the blossoms away.
And, alas, the blossoms do not resist.

This, unfortunately,
Is the way of the world.
An indecisive heart
Always leads one astray
And stirs shameful gossip.
How capricious you are,
My unfaithful
Mountain cherry blossoms.


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