Iso Chidori
磯千鳥
| [Genre] | Jiuta |
| [Style] | Tegotomono |
| [School] | Ikuta Ryû - 生田 |
| [Composed] | Yaezaki Kengyō - Koto |
| Kikuoka Kengyō - Shamisen |
History (Tsuge Gen'ichi):
| A typical example of the Kyoto style tegoto-mono genre which thrived during the first half of the nineteenth century. This piece was originally composed for voice and shamisen as a jiuta; however, later it was arranged by Yaezaki Kengyo (1766?-1848) of Kyoto, as a jiuta-sokyoku piece with an elaborate koto part, since then this version has become popular. The title Isochidori means a 'beach plover,' and is taken from the last word of the text. The song deals with the disappointed love of a betrayed bride and the transience of this world. Because of its sorrowful mood, this piece is sometimes used in Japan for performance in memory of the departed. |
Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)
| My uneasy doze Was broken at dawn By the temple bell. Indeed to what can I compare This world Of empty wishes? In Tomorrow River Yesterday's deep pool Is today's shoal. Despite the vicissitudes of life We took the pledge of eternal love. But unawares I have been adrift, A floating boat without a rudder, Can I find shelter In the white waves? Are they drops from a pole? A rain of tears? Drenching my robe Drenching my robe through. The chilly coastal wind Pierces my body this morning- Does the beach plover too Cry in despair? | Utatane no makura ni hibiku ake no kane (ai) Geni mamanaranu yononaka wo nani ni tatoen asukagawa (ai) kinoo no fuchi wa kyoo no se to kawariyasuki zo kawaruna to chigirishi koto mo itsushika ni (ai) mi wa ukifune no kajio wo tae ima wa yorube mo shiranami no (tegoto) Sao no shizuka ka namida no ame ka eureni zo nureshi nuregoromo (ai) mi ni shimu kesa no urakaze ni wabitsutsu ya naku isochidori |
Iso Chidori appears on the following albums
