Atsumori

Atsumori (The Death of Atsumori). Traditional, after 12th century; voice, biwa.

Ayako Handa: Biwa and voice

The Biwa -- a plucked, pear-shaped lute with four or five strings -- is a seminal force in Japanese music, standing at the head of the great narrative tradition. Originally part of gagaku court orchestra which came from the mainland to Japan in the 7th century, the biwa later was used by itinerant Buddhist monks as an aid to their chanting of sutras and narration parables. The biwa has influenced the development of shamisen music, and its tales have flowed into the plays of noh, bunraku and kabuki. In the 13th century, the biwa became the prime vehicle for narration of the great military epic, the Tale of the Heike, one episode of which is given here. Atsumori tells of the tragic death of a young Hike warrior at the hands of Kumagai, an older Genji warrior. This excerpt takes the story up to the point where Atsumori and Kumagai face one another at the water's edge. The scene is set both in words and descriptive music. The early morning wind off Suma bay is simulated in a long shimmering tremolo. After a short interlude, the text tells of a defeated Heike warship in the distance. Following the next interlude, Kumagai appears, searching the beach for a worthy opponent. A portentous biwa tremolo: he spots Atsumori heading into the water after his ship: Kumagai calls him back to do battle. The excerpt concludes with an instrumental depiction of Atsumori kicking his way through the surf to meet his opponent and death.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Atsumori
• Heike Monogatari
• Biwa
• Ensemble Nipponia
• 平家物語
• Ayako Handa

[TKGMALICE]

the singer is tsuruta kinshi i think incase you were wondering anyone

[egmdokttor]

The singer is Ayako Handa.

I'm sorry I forget to add this information.

[archipankrator]

this owns so much

[NightoExorcisto]

Where exactly did you find the picture of the video?

Also, perfect choice and this song is perfect. It has deep meaning and this is the only kind of music that can be incarnated. I feel like i am on the scene and see the death of Atsumori. Especially when you know the lyrics, the result is divine.

This song gives me chills when Ayako Handa says "Yobarete Atsumori, senkata anaku..."

O god, that Ayako was a godess...

[kurisusanchez]

これ は うつくしいです

[sonoNEKO]

@NightoExorcisto 平家方の御大将と見うけたり

返させ給へ戻させ給へ、おーいおーいと日の丸の

扇を揚げて招きけり、呼ばれて敦盛せん方なく

敵に後を見せまじと、白波蹴たてて

水際へ向けてぞ返しける

[BWEEBLAST]

i love this....

[memmori1]

@NightoExorcisto May you also help me with this one?

(I can't post the direct link but visit the channel of Musicaenka and click Heike Monogatari)

It seems to be a different version of the same song, or similar.

Thanks!

[memmori1]

@NightoExorcisto THANXXX alot!!! You really helped me to understand this beautiful song!

[NightoExorcisto]

@memmori1 Heike gata no on taisho to

miu ketari

kae sase tamae modo sase tamae

oi oi

tohi no maru no onio anete maneki keri

Yobarete Atsumori senkata anaku

teki ni ushiro wo mise maji to

shiranami ketatete

miniu ani mukete zo kae shikeru

That is the sencond part. I hope i helped.

[NightoExorcisto]

@memmori1 I will write the lyrics. I wrote them by ear. It is traditional singing and there are some parts that are a little bit strange. I don't know if it's totally correct. Hiodori koete kaze no akatsuki samuki suma no ura okini tadai yo gun sen wa Ikusani Takeshi Yoshitsune no chiriaku no yumi ani yabure taru aware Heike no gozasen nari koko ni kumanai jiro nao jane wa nawaru buso utaba yato uka no uchi ni nami sano katao kiai mezasu musai ki kowa yoki teki soreni ochi sase tamo wa

[memmori1]

@NightoExorcisto Do you know the whole lyrics of this masterpiece?

I'm looking for it throughout the web and cannot find anything... :( And I'm not so good in Japanese to understand it just listening to the song.