Upcoming Performance

In just a couple of weeks, I will have my next shamisen performance at the Japanese festival at the Memphis Botanic Garden. The festival will be from 10am-5pm on September 13th (more info here). I'm not sure what time they have placed me on the schedule just yet. I'll be performing two pieces: "Yachiyo Jishi" and "Nihonmin'yo Shu". I'd like to explain a little about each piece.

The title "Yachiyo Jishi" (八千代獅子) translates to "Eight Thousand Year Lion". It is a piece that is celebratory in nature. The first part of the song is slower and more peaceful, but as the song progress to the instrumental part (tegoto), it becomes more lively and represents a lion in a vibrant, joyful dance. The song then ends with a quiet image of snow on pine needles, representing long life. The lyrics to the song are as follows (from komuso.com):

English translation:	Japanese (romaji):
Forever In this eternal reign, Like two bamboo shoots Grown straight and true, This world shall last Thousands of ages. (instrumental interlude) On the young needles of the pine, Snow. On the young needles of the pine, Snow.	Itsumade mo kawaranu miyo no aitake no yoyo wa ikuchiyo yachiyo furu (tegoto) Yuki zo kakareru matsu no futaba ni yuki zo kakareru matsu no futabe ni

"Nihonmin'yo Shu" (日本民謡集) is a modern instrumental piece of six folk songs from various regions of Japan. The song is quite energetic and perfect for the festival atmosphere. I hope to be able to get a video of this performance to post here. Please check back!