Lyrics by Bansui Doi, Music by Rentaro Taki, released in 1901. While Kosaku Yamada's version is widely known, this time I incorporated the accidentals from Taki's original melody. In the first verse, all five harps are used to create a refined and gorgeous festive atmosphere, just like the lyrics. In the second verse, a mournful autumn scene is portrayed using an arched harp with added noise (buzzing). The flocks of wild geese are expressed through tremolo on a double-row carbon string harp. The third verse depicts the serene and radiant moonlight with a trio of three wire-strung harps. Finally, in the fourth verse, I perform a simple, unadorned monophonic line on an arched harp with the buzzing removed, evoking a sense of impermanence. I chose the arched harp, with its minimal resonance, as the main instrument because its silent spaces seem especially well-suited to the melancholy atmosphere of this song. Lyrics Spring - the blossoms' feast at the lofty tower, Cups of sake passed around, shadows glimmer. The ancient light once shone through pine branches - Where now has that light gone? Autumn - the frosted hues of the encampment, Crying wild geese show their numbers passing. The swords planted stand shining in the night - Where now has that light gone? Now the moon glows over the ruined castle, For whom remains this unchanging light? Upon the fence, only ivy still clings; In the pines, only the storm sings. Though the celestial radiance remains unchanged, The rise and fall of fortunes paint the fleeting world. As if to capture it, still even now - Ah, the moon over the ruined castle. Instruments Wire-strung harp (Paulownia wood, op.253, 12 strings,E1, A1-D3) "Cinnamon" wire-strung harp (Maple wood, op.347, 27 strings, E2, A2-E6) "Dragon Harp" wire-strung harp (Hinoki wood, op.311, 20 strings, E3, A3-E6) Paper-made arched harp (op.298, 17 strings, A1, D2-E4) Double-course carbon string harp (Linden/Katsura wood, op.346, 40 strings, G2-E5, unison tuning) Instrument design, construction, arrangement, and performance by Keisuke Teramoto Cover art: "Shin Shin" (F6 size), by Tomoko Nakai