Kokoro Zukushi
心尽
| [Genre] | Sokyoku |
| [Style] | Kumiuta |
| [School] | Ikuta Ryû - 生田 |
| [Also Known As] | Oguruma No Kyoku, Miyakodori |
| [Composed] | Yatsuhashi Kengyō - Koto |
History (Tsuge Gen'ichi):
| 'Kokoro-zukushi,' one of the 'Thirteen Yatsuhashi Song Cycles,' is classified into the omote (1) category. The texts of the six songs are not related, though the first and fourth songs refer to episodes from the 'Suma' and 'Evening Faces' (Yugao) chapters of 'The Tale of Genji.' The title 'Kokoro-Zukushi' is derived from the first line of the opening song, which describes Prince Genji's state of mind when he was in exile at the seacoast of Suma. (1) Kumiuta are traditionally classified into four categories according to the degree of profundity and stylistic proficiency required and sometimes the technical difficulties involved. These are omote (lit. "outside"), ura (lit. "inside"), naka (lit. "interior"), oku (lit, "deep interior"). By way of illustration, it may be helpful to imagine these categories as representing the structure of the imperial palace or a Shinto shrine with outer and inner walls, and further inside, the outer and inner sanctuaries. It should also be mentioned that these categories represent stages of a student’s progress in the learning of the koto repertoire, and are regulated by the issuing of diplomas along the way. |
Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
| The melancholy winds Of autumn Blow across Suma Bay And waves crash on the beach. I spread my robe alone, But even in dream I may not meet you, Night after sleepless night. On a journey to the east, Far, far from home I reach the banks Of the Sumida River. Perhaps the miyako bird (2) Can bring me news Of my loved one In the capital. My dreams at dawn Of a summer's night Broken by the song Of a hototogisu. (3) Pure in the dim light Of a morning moon, Small white blossoms Of the utsugi (4) bush. The inconspicuous carriage, Waiting in the midst, Was chosen to hide the high birth Of its owner. Under the cover of night He has come secretly To visit his lover In her lowly dwelling. All the waters From the Asuka River (5) of my love Diverted into an inkstone Would not make ink enough To express my boundless passions. Today passes into tomorrow And tomorrow into the next, Flooded with thoughts of you. At dusk On a promised evening, I followed the faint But faithful guide of incense To its source. As a panel of the bush-clover room Slid open, the aroma Gracefully embraced me. (2) Miyakodori, is a kind of gull, literally means 'bird of the capital.' (3) Commonly translated as 'cuckoo' but in fact, sings a very different song. Traditionally associated with the coming of summer. (4) Deutzia scabra, a shrub which grows to the height of two meters. Its flower, the unohana, is associated with early summer. (5) Asukagawa is a famous river flowing through Nara Prefecture. Because of the hidden meaning 'tomorrow,' it is often used in poetry to accent themes of uncertain future and transience. | Kokoro-zukushi no akikaze ni suma no urawa no nami-makura koromo katashiki hitorine ni yume mo musubanu yonayona Furusato wo harubaru to hedatete koko ni sumidagawa miyakodori ni kototowan kimi wa ariya nashiya to Natsu no yo no akebono yume wo samasu hototogisu shirotae ni miyuru wa tsuki ni sarasu unohana Kiri ni tatazumu oguruma yatsushite tatsuru oguruma hitome shinobu no chigiri hoso fukete neya no kayoiji Asukagawa no minakami wo suzuri no mizu ni sekiirete kaku kotonoha wa tsukimaji ya kyoo mo kurasan inochi kana Chigirishi yoi no tasogare shirube fukaki soradaki tomeiru kata no hagi no to wo hiraku ya sode no utsuriga |
Kokoro Zukushi appears on the following albums
| Album | Artist | |
| Kikuhara Hatsuko Zenshu vol. 1 |
Voice : Kikuhara Hatsuko Koto : Kikuhara Hatsuko | |
| Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 03 |
Voice : Takahashi Eisei II Koto : Takahashi Eisei II | |
| Zoku Sō-Sangen-Shakuhachi ni yoru Mei Senshū - volume 2 |
Voice : Matsuo Keiko Koto : Matsuo Keiko |