花の色は移りにけりないたづらに (in Japanese)

Hana no iro ha utsuri ni keri na itazura ni

The color of the flower has faded in vain. (in English)

This is the first half of a “tanka”, a kind of ancient Japanese poem, by Onono Komachi.

The second half of the tanka means “during the spring rain”.

By the way, this tanka has a second interpretation : “The radiance of my beauty has faded , while I was absorbed by my thoughts on life.”

This work signifies that life is elusive.

I wrote this piece by quoting the first half of this tanka , comparing it to the situation we experienced in 2020 and asking myself a question :

“ Has the time that passed while I was away from home make me forget it ?”

In addition, a three-note pattern “La-Si-Do”, in Japanese “i-ro-ha” means color.

This color alludes to a part of the title of the piece.

This pattern is used in the piece in a different transposition “Si-Do#-Ré”.

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The color of cherry blossoms has faded in vain.

I have not been able to return to the country in a long time.

Has the time , which passed while I was away make me forget about it ?

-No! I always think about it , I should be able to be there!

After all , my wish doesn’t come true easily.

But cherry blossoms clearly remind me of the color, the smell, the sweetness and the faces of people back home, anytime, anywhere I am …

(text by Natsumi Kumagishi)

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Performance