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Slumber Song of Izumo
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Japanese Koto music. Roku- Dan
This Slumber Song is a very ancient one and is found in various forms in the different provinces. I have used the Izumo version.
The Loquat leaves are exactly the shape of a rabbits ears. The queer rhythm and quaint naïvete of the Japanese words are charmingly illustrated in this poem.
In using the Japanese words, several notes will be found on one vowel sound, where in the English these notes have a syllable. I prefer leaving the notes for the English without inserting ties and small notes for the Japanese words as these can easily be ascertained.
Nenneko
O-yama no
Usagi no ko,
Naze mata
O-mimi ga
Nagai e yara?
Okkasan no
O-naka ni
Oru toku ni,
Biwa no ha,
Tabeta sona,
Sore de
O-mimi ga
Nagai e sona.
Nennero is a derivative of the verb neru — to sleep,
ko, child.
nenne-ko, sleep baby — child.
Usagi, hare,
no, of.
Naze mata, why.
O-mimi, ears.
Nagai e yara, long and slender.
Okkasan, mother.
Oru toku ni, where stay.
Biwa, loquat.
ha, leaf.
Sasa, bamboo.
sore de, that is why.
