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Sakura

This version was saved 15 years, 4 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Nina Esch
on December 1, 2008 at 2:36:32 pm
 

Sakura (Traditional Japanese Folk Song)

Arranged by Michael Story. (Miami, FL: Belwin Mills, 2002).

 

  1. Essential Questions & Information about Sakura
    1. What cultural and historical facts to do we know about the song?
    2. What is the song like when sounded by traditional instruments/voices?
    3. How is the song taught traditionally?
    4. How does the song live today for the people of and from that culture?
      1. How does Sakura mean for people who live in Japan today?
      2. What does Sakura mean to people from Japan or people whose families are from Japan who live in our community today?
    5. How we can play the song in a way that illustrates what we’ve learned about how a person can reflect and respect a song and the people who own it and think it important?
  2. Print Sources
  3. Website Sources
  4. Audio Sources
  5. Video Sources
  6. Sources Used
  7. Performances

 

 

 

Essential Questions & Information about Sakura

 

 

1.) What cultural and historical facts do we know about the song?

 

 

SAKURA is a well-known, traditional Japanese folk song. It is also a popular children’s song. This old Japanese song was originally known as Saita Sakura. Sakura, which translates to “Cherry Blossom,” is about the Japanese cherry tree. The cherry tree represents beauty, peace and joy in the Japanese culture. But more importantly, the blooming of the cherry tree signifies the arrival of spring and therefore is associated with renewal and rebirth. The song refers to “hanami,” or blossom viewing. “Hanami” is an old tradition in Japan and a favorite pastime of the Japanese people during the spring.  There are many versions of the lyrics in the song, but the lyrics all tell the same story. They describe the beauty of the flowering cherry blossoms.

 

Lyrics

 

 

Japanese: English Translation:
Sakura sakura Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Noyama mo sato mo Blanketing the countryside,
Miwatasu kagiri As far as you can see.
Kasumi ka kumo ka Is it a mist, or clouds?
Asahi ni niou Fragrant in the morning 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,
Miwatasu kagiri As far as you can see.
Kasumi ka kumo ka Is it a mist, or clouds?
Nioi zo izuru Fragrant in the air.
Izaya izaya Come now, come,
Mini yu kan Let's look, at last!

 

 

What is the song like when sounded by traditional instruments/voices?

 

This song is traditionally performed on the koto. The koto is a long instrument with 13 strings and is played with plectrums attached to the thumb, first and middle fingers of the right hand. The tune Sakura is one of the first that a beginning koto player learns.

 

How is the song taught traditionally?

 

Sakura is traditionally taught by ear to beginning koto players. However, there are many notated versions of Sakura available today.

 

INSERT PARTS 2&3!!!!!!!!!

 

Print Sources

 

Website Sources

 

 

Cherry Blossom Map

http://gojapan.about.com/library/map/bljapancherryblossommap.htm

 

 

Cherry Tree (Sakura) Pictures

http://www.kyotoview.com/sakura_list.html

 

Audio Sources

 

 

Harp & Flute

http://www.imeem.com/people/WpM2-k/music/agWqho0i/harp_and_flute_traditional_japanese_folk_song/

 

 

MP3: Sakura Variations

http://www.emusic.com/album/Joji-Hirota-Japanese-Folk-Songs-MP3-Download/11174581.html

 

 

 

 

 

Video Sources

 

 

Flute, violin, cello, keyboard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPosU3J0FI

 

 

Played on kokyu “kokyu is a shamisen like instrument. it is like violin, but is different from violin in that kokyus bow is made loose, and is tightened with finger while playing.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxTVX0y-_GU&feature=related

 

 

Children’s Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8k-Df4s1Pk

 

 

Sakura: Variations on Classical Guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UpAEV-mxI4

 

 

Sources Used

Performances of Arirang by Students in School, Youth, and Honor Orchestras

 

 

 

 

 

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