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Koryu Shiki Genji

古流四季源氏

[Genre]Sokyoku
[Style]Kumiuta
[School]Ikuta Ryû - 生田
[Composed]Ikuta Kengyō - Koto
Yatsuhashi Kengyō - Shamisen

History (Tsuge Gen'ichi):

The title literally means 'Genji in the Four Seasons: Old Version.' (Sometimes this kumiuta is called 'Original Shiki-Genji' or Yatsuhashi's Shiki-Genji.') Composed by Yatsuhashi Kengyo, the founder of the tradition, this song cycle was treated as its 'most secret' piece. Consequently this kumiuta is thought to preserve the old invention of Yatsuhashi's style.

The text of each of the first four songs is based on a typical scene representing one of the four seasons in 'The Tale of Genji;' namely, spring from 'Butterflies' (Kochyo), summer from 'The Orange Blossoms' (Hanachirusato), autumn from 'The Typhoon' (Nowaki), and winter from 'The Morning Glory' (Asagao. The fifth songs, acts as an epilogue, and is not directly derived from 'The Genji.'

The song cycle is preceded by a short instrumental introduction (maebiki) of 8 hyoshi ('beats' or eight measures). After the second song, an interlude of 39 hyoshi is inserted.

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)

On the lake
Of the spring garden,
Colorful boats
In the Chinese fashion
Rowed in the bright spring sun.
Flowers scent our sleeves
Soaked with waterdrops
From the oars.

A koto
Harmonizes
With the breeze from
A lunar laurel tree.
Irresistible music!
Just
For the occasion
The cuckoo sings.

Morning and evening dew
Glitters
In unearthly colors,
Chimes like a
Jeweled garden.
An autumn wind
Rends the trees and
Flowers into a thousand pieces.

Snow
On the hedge of a
Neglected palace -
Like orange blossoms in full bloom,
Or white-crested waves -
No matter how often
I sweep it away,
New flurries pile up.

Through countless ages
The imperial grace
Shall never end.
Blessed with his mercy -
As great as Mt. Tsukuba,
As dense as foliose hills -
The houses of all his people
Shall be prosperous.
(maebiki)

Haru no omae no
ikemizu ni
karameku fune no
yosooi wa
urara ni miete
kogu sode no
sao no shizuku ni
hana kaoru

Tsuki no katsura no
oikaze ni
shrabe awasuru
tsuma-goto no
kikisute gataki
orikara ya
moyooshi-gao no
hototogisu

(gaku)

Asayuu tsuyu no
hikari mo
yo no tsune naranu
iroiro
tomoto kagayaku
senzai no
chiji ni midaruru
akikaze

Aretaru yado no
kakiio ni
furitsumu yuki no
tachibana wo
haraedo moto no
sue no matsu
nao tatsu nami no
omokage

Chiyo yorozuyo no
yo mo saki
kimi no megumi wa
tsukubayama
hayama shigeyama
kage takaku
nigioo tami no
ie ie

Koryu Shiki Genji appears on the following albums

Album Artist

Kikuhara Hatsuko Zenshu vol. 11 Voice : Kikuhara Hatsuko
Koto : Kikuhara Hatsuko