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Sakura Sakura

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Akuyume (talk | contribs) at 07:25, 12 December 2009 (→‎Standard: I think that "匂ひぞ" is a typo, changing it to 匂いぞ. Also, the spelling 匂い is used on the Japanese wiki too). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the Japanese folk song. For the Japanese visual novel of the same name, see Sakura Sakura (visual novel).
Score of "Sakura"
Sakura Sakura
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"Sakura Sakura" (さくら さくら), also known as "Sakura", is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, the season of cherry blossom. Contrary to popular belief, the song did not originate from ancient times, not from the Heian period or prior. It was first composed during the Edo period for children learning to play the koto. Originally, the lyrics "Blooming cherry blossoms" were attached to the melody. The song has been popular since the Meiji period, and the lyrics in their present form were attached then. It is often sung in international settings as a song representative of Japan.

'Dream of the Cherry Blossoms' by Keiko Abe, a Japanese virtuoso percussionist, is a 5 minute long piece for marimba based on an improvisation on the tune of 'Sakura sakura', and has become one of the most played pieces in the marimba repertoire. Also, Yukijiro Yokoh, a Japanese classical guitarist made an arrangement for the instrument. Which is, like Keiko Abe's version, a theme with variations in which he uses different guitar techniques to imitate the sound of the Koto. Alfred Reed's Fifth Symphony "Sakura" is based on this folk song.

Lyrics

Translation

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last!
  • Cat Stevens used the melody of "Sakura Sakura" at the intro in the live version of his "Hard Headed Woman" song, during his 1976 Earth Tour that was later released on his album and DVD entitled Majikat.
  • Bon Jovi sampled "Sakura Sakura" at the opening of their song "Tokyo Road," featured on their 1985 7800° Fahrenheit album.
  • Thrice used a sample of a music box playing "Sakura Sakura" as the intro to the song "Music Box" on their 2005 album entitled Vheissu. The song is also built on the chord progression of "Sakura Sakura."
  • beatmania IIDX 8th style contains a variation of the song, under the title "Sakura".
  • Sakura Sakura is used as Tokugawa's diplomacy theme in the 2005 game of the year, Civilization IV.
  • Italian singer Giuni Russo made a version of this song that is particularly interesting because of the merging of two lyric styles so similar yet quite distinct from each other.
  • Sakura Sakura is a playable song in the new game Wii Music.
  • The Japanese composer Yukihiro Yoko wrote a set of variations for guitar solo on "Sakura".
  • Sakura Sakura is remixed as the ending theme to the game Perfect Cherry Blossom
  • Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro made a rendition of the song.
  • Jazz pianist Mal Waldron gave a jazz piano rendition in his album My Dear Family.
  • A brief sample played as the theme music for boxer Piston Honda in the game Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!
  • A version of this theme was recorded by cellist Julian Lloyd Webber.
  • Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones performed a version of Sakura in his organ Solo at the Nagoya, Japan 5.10.1972 show.
Japanese Wikisource has original text related to this article:


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