Sakura Variations

Sakura Sakura (meaning Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms) is a traditional Japanese folk song of Spring during the Edo period. The melody employs a pentatonic scale of Japanese origin termed the “In Scale” consisting of diatonic notes 3,4,6,7,8,10 or E,F,A,B,C,E (a minor) and is represented by the E Phrygian minor or major mode in Western modal forms with notes 3 and 7 omitted.

The current arrangement employs an Aeolian mode (A minor) including notes D and G. I listened to a Koto sound to play the original melody before transferring it to the piano. The opening theme employs fifths and fourths as harmonies consistent with the In Scale. The original koto versions of Sakura consistet of 14 measures. In some variations I have extended the melody to 15 or 16 measures consistent with Western musical tradition.

The Japanese poem and translation in English are as follows:

Romaji --- English
sakura sakura --- Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
noyama mo sato mo --- In fields, mountains & villages
mi-watasu kagiri --- AS far as the eye can see.
kasumi ka kumo ka --- Is it mist, or clouds?
Asahi ni niou --- Fragrant in the rising sun.
Sakura Sakura --- Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Hana Zakari --- Flowers in full bloom.

Sakura Sakura --- Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Yayoi no sora wa ---
Across the spring sky,
mi-watsu kagiri --- As far as the eye can see.
Kasumi ka kumo ka --- Is it mist, or clouds?
Nioi zo izuru --- Fragrant in the air.
Izaya izaya --- Come now, come now,
Mini yukani --- Let’s go and see them.

There are 14 variations each titled to reflect an aspect of Japanese culture and provide a take off point for interpretation when playing the variation set.

Variation --- Title
Theme --- Sakura, Sakura Folk Song
1 --- Haiku
2 --- Torii Gate
3 --- Kami
4 --- Koto
5 --- Samurai
6 --- Sakura, Sakura II
7 --- Shinto
8 --- Kabuki
9 --- Mount Fuji
10 --- Geisha
11 --- Senbazuru
12 --- Sumo rikishi
13 --- Taiko Drums
14 --- Sakura, Sakura III