Home People Pieces Recordings Bibliography Schools Glossary Sites & Events Teachers Join the ISS Log In

Shintakasago

新高砂

[Genre]Sokyoku
[Style]Meiji Shinkyoku
[School]Ikuta Ryû - 生田
[Composed]Terajima Hanano I - Shamisen

History (Tsuge Gen'ichi):

Shin-takasago ('New Takasago') is an example of 'new koto music' of the Meiji Era. Although this piece is composed in the tegoto-mono form, it is not a jiuta sokyoku. The tegoto is performed by two koto(s) tuned differently.

The text is taken from the no play Takasago, which praises the gods for a long, married life. Because of its character, this piece is often performed at auspicious occasions such as wedding ceremonies.

Poem (translated by Tsuge Gen'ichi)

Takasago Bay!
Raising the sail
On this cable,
Together with the moonrise,
The rising tide -

See, the reflection of Awaji Island!
Above the waves.

Far past
The offing at Naruo,
We have reached
Suminoe, already.

We have reached
Suminoe, already.
(maebiki)

Takasago ya
kono urafune ni
ho wo agete
truki morotomo ni
ideshio no
(ai)
nami no awaji no
shimakage ya

(tegoto)

Tooku naruo no
oki sugite
haya suminoe ni
tsukinikeri
(ai)
haya suminoe ni
tsukinikeri

Shintakasago appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonFascination of the Koto 2 Voice : Yonekawa Toshiko
Koto : Yonekawa Toshiko
Koto : Yonekawa Megumi
Shin Takasago (New Takasago)

Composed by Terazima Hanano (1855-1920), a typical example of new koto music of the Meiji era. This is performed by high registered and a low registered koto. The title derives from the no play Takasago and the adjective 'shin' (new) is added to distinguish it from the older version of Takasago for the koto. The song text, a literal quotation from the no, praises conjugal faithfulness and longevity.
Play ButtonFujii Kunie Sokyoku Jiuta No Sekai 5

How to Play the Shamisen and the Koto (Disc 2) Koto : Noda Toshiko
Shamisen : Yokota Fumiko
Koto : Nakajima Keiko

Kinko Shakuhachi Gaikyoku Anthology Volume 1 - First Level - tape 2 Shakuhachi : Kawase Junsuke III

Koten Sōkyoku no Shinzui Volume 2 Koto : Nankōbō Tamami

Koto Music of Japan, The Koto : Hagiwara Seigin
Shin-Takasago was composed by Utano Terashima in the nineteenth century and is based upon Takasago, a famous Noh drama. Takasago is a seaside town near Kobe which has been frequently cited in Japanese literature for its scenic beauty. Takasago in the Noh drama describes happiness and joy, emotions evoked by this lovely koto solo.

Meikyoku no Shirabe vol. 4 Koto : Andō Namii
Koto : Yamane Ichiyo
Koto : Itō Shōchō II
Shakuhachi : Nōtomi Haruhiko
Voice : Yamase Shōin II

Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 15 (三曲合奏大全集15) Koto : Furuya Yasue
Koto : Furuya Tomizō
Voice : Nakamura Hisako
Shakuhachi : Tanabe Retsuzan

Sankyoku Home Practice - Shoden 2 Shakuhachi : Aoki Reibo II
Play ButtonSeiha Hogakkai Play Favorites 09 - Meiji Shinkyoku Koto : Yuize Shin'ichi
Koto : Nakashima Yasuko
Voice : Yuize Masae
Shakuhachi : Yamamoto Hōzan

Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 8 Koto : Nakashima Yasuko
Voice : Fujii Kunie
Koto : Fujii Kunie

Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 41 Koto : Nakanoshima Kin'ichi
Voice : Nakanoshima Keiko

Sōkyoku: Yamada-ryū - Meikyoku no Shirabe (vol. 4) Koto : Yamane Ichiyo
Koto : Andō Namii
Shakuhachi : Nōtomi Haruhiko
Voice : Yamase Shōin II
Koto : Itō Shōchō I