Sakura Variations Traditional Japanese Instruments

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 consist 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.

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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

Theme 1 -- Haiku (short form poetry)

Theme 2 -- Torii Gate

Theme 3 -- Kami (Spirit)

Theme 4 -- Koto (13 string plucked zither instrument

Theme 5 -- Samurai

Theme 6 -- Sakura, Sakura II

Theme 7 -- Shinto (native animalistic religion)

Theme 8 -- Kabuki

Theme 9 -- Mount Fuji

Theme 10 -- Geisha (Artist)

Theme 11 -- Senbadzuru (A Thousand Cranes)

Theme 12 -- Sumo rikishi (Sumo Wrestlers)

Theme 13 -- Taiko Drums (Taiko Drums)

Theme 14 -- Sakura, Sakura III (Cherry Blossoms)

The current set of variations were mastered using recordings of traditional Japanese instruments for the acoustic renderings. The sound engineering was performed by Paul S Kraushaar at Parasight Records in Grass Valley, California

Japanese Instruments used in the Arrangement

• Stringed Instruments
◦ Koto (13 strings)
◦ Shamisen (long necked plucked 3 string instrument)

• Wind Instruments
◦ Shakuhachi (end blown bamboo flute)
◦ Hichiriki (double reed Japanese flute)
◦ Sho (Japanese free reed instrument)

• Percussion Instruments
◦ Taiko (double headed drum played with sticks)
◦ Tsuri-daiko (hanging drum held in a stand)
◦ Ko-tsuzumi (small hourglass shaped double headed drum)
◦ Shoko (small bronze gong)
◦ Kane (dish shaped bell with multiple sounds)