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Fascination of the Koto 2

Fascination of the Koto 2

米川 敏子
King Record Co., Ltd - KICH 2055
1997

トラック番号 タイトル 漢字 長さ アーティスト
1  Play Button Rokudan no Shirabe 六段の調 06'22 箏: 米川 敏子
Rokudan (Instrumental composition in six sections)

Composed by Yatsuhashi kengyo (d. 1685) One of the few instrumental pieces (danmono) which has been transmitted to the present. This piece consists of six sections and each of them has the same number of beats, although the tempo is accelerated.
2  Play Button Yūgao 夕顔 11'20 箏: 二代米川敏子
三弦: 米川 敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Yugao (Lady Yugao)

Composed by Kikuoka Kengyo (d.1847). A typical jiuta piece (i.e. consisting of the sangen part and vocal part) in the Kyoto style. Later Yaezaki kengyo (d. 1848) composed a part for the koto to be performed in the ensemble form. A small size piece, but concise and well-balanced between the singing and instrumental parts. The title derives from the lady Yugao in the Tale of Genji who was loved by Genji but killed by the evil spirit of his former lover.
3  Play Button Shintakasago 新高砂 07'00 箏: 米川めぐみ
箏: 米川 敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Shin Takasago (New Takasago)

Composed by Terazima Hanano (1855-1920), a typical example of new koto music of the Meiji era. This is performed by high registered and a low registered koto. The title derives from the no play Takasago and the adjective 'shin' (new) is added to distinguish it from the older version of Takasago for the koto. The song text, a literal quotation from the no, praises conjugal faithfulness and longevity.
4  Play Button Kurokami 黒髪 07'35 箏: 米川めぐみ
三弦: 米川 敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Kurokomi (Black hair)

Composed by Koide Itizyuro I in the late 18th century. This short and melodious song depicts the sadness of a woman sleeping alone.
5  Play Button Hachidan no Shirabe 八段の調 07'46 箏: 米川 敏子
Hachidan (Instrumental composition in eight sections)

Composed by Yatuhashi kengyo (d.1685). This piece has the same characteristics as Rokudan in terms of the size of each section and melodic movements. In traditional teaching practice this piece is taught to pupils just after Rokudan. As a memory aid pupils are taught the following: the 4th section starts with the 4th string of the koto, the fifth section with the 5th string and the 6th section with the 6th string.
6  Play Button Yachio Jishi 八千代獅子 07'34 箏: 二代米川敏子
三弦: 米川 敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Yachiyo jishi (longevity of eight thousand years)

It is thought that this piece was originally a shakuhachi piece depicting a joyful lion dance In the mid-17th century Masazima kengyo arranged it for the kokyu and it was again arranged by Huzinaga kengyo at the end of the 17 century as a shamisen piece. It is now performed in various instrumental settings. The tegoto (interlude), consisting of three sections, is full of joyful movements and for this reason is performed in kabuki as background music for fight scenes.
7  Play Button Natsu no Kyoku 夏の曲 15'10 箏: 米川 敏子
箏: 二代米川敏子
歌: 二代米川敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Natsu no kyoku (On summer)

Composed by Yoshizawa kengyo II (1801/08-1872). He composed numerous koto pieces using the tanka poems included in the Kokin waka syu. This particular piece represents progression from early summer to the end of a lingering summer.
8  Play Button Tsuru no Koe 鶴の声 04'39 箏: 二代米川敏子
三弦: 米川 敏子
歌: 二代米川敏子
歌: 米川 敏子
Tsuru no koe (Voice. of cranes)

Composed by Tamaoka kengyo at the end of 18th century. The crane, along with the turtle, is a symbol of felicity and longevity in the Japanese culture. For this reason, this short piece is performed very frequently.