Yoshitsune by Junko Ueda satsuma biwa in Valleraugue, France
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Live recording of the Japanese satsuma-biwa player / singer Junko Ueda performing "Yoshitsune" at the 10th Festival of Arts and Poetry in Valleraugue (Gard) France on 19th May 2012. This video contains various excerpts of the original 23 minutes performance.
Junko Ueda
A musical performance of Junko Ueda extends Japanese ancient sound into modern times. Both the satsuma-biwa story-telling tradition as well as shomyo Buddhist chanting are unique musical treasures which have been passed on from generation to generation.
Junko Ueda, born in Tokyo, Japan, is Japanese singer and satsuma-biwa player, presenting Japanese traditional biwa music (story-telling) and shômyô Buddhist chanting. Ueda studied satsuma-biwa with the famous Kinshi Tsuruta and Buddhist shômyô-chanting with Kôshin Ebihara. She studied composition (under o.a. Jôji Yuasa) at the Tokyo College of Music. Ueda is based in Europe/Japan and has presented her concert, shômyô vocal workshop and other collaborations at music festivals all over the world (e.g. with flutist Wil Offermans; cellist Yo Yo Ma; the Dutch Nieuw Ensemble; and composers Jean-Claude Eloy, Akemi Naito, Keiko Harada). Ueda is also specialized to perform the pieces of Japanese composer Tôru Takemitsu. Her traditional biwa music CDs 'Heike Monogatari' (CD650 VDE/AIMP Geneva) and 'Satsuma Biwa' (ARN64577 Arion, Paris / Ethnomad, Geneva) received several prizes e.g. the Grand Prix du Disque, Academie Charles Cros, Paris and Choc Le Monde de la Musique, Paris.
More info: www.junkoueda.com
Heike-Monogatari (The Tale of the Heike) is a well-known Japanese epic, which has been performed during the ages in many different versions and styles, however the main characteristic - its reciting - always has been present. The stories are based on the Buddhist idea of cause and effect and human life's impermanence. Heike-Monogatari describes the short-term prosperity of the Heike clan, from the beginning of the twelfth century till their ruin in 1185, when they lost their war with the Genji clan from Kamakura (just south of nowadays Tokyo). Heike was located in the Kyoto area, but during the war, while attempting to escape, they gradually moved southwards, so that most of the famous war stories happened somewhere in the Inland Sea of Seto.
In the Heike-Monogatari, Yoshitsune is described as the hero of the Genji-clan, who brought victory to the Genji in the historical war with the Heike-clan. After the naval battle at Dan-no-Ura, where the Heike was completely defeated, the Genji settled their government at Kamakura (South of nowadays Tokyo), from where they ruled the country (1192-1333; known as the Kamakura period). Yoritomo was the general of Genji and the elder brother of Yoshitsune. However Yoshitsune strongly swore his allegiance to Yoritomo, Yoritomo suspected that Yoshitsune secretly intended to take over the government. At last, Yoritomo commanded to kill Yoshitsune, which forced Yoshitsune to escape. The three episodes are performed as one piece.
1. Funa-Benkei
Yoshitsune is sailing at Daimotsu-no-Ura (an inlet in the Seto inner sea) escorted by Benkei, a faithful vassal. In stormy weather, ghosts of the Heike-clan appear around Yoshitsune and Benkei's boat. The ghost of Tomomori, who was commander of Heike and was killed by Yoshitsune at Dan-no-Ura, tries to pull down Yoshitsune and Benkei to the bottom of the sea. However, when Benkei recites his prayers and uses his beads, the ghost calms down and moves away.
2. Yoshino-Shizuka
When Yoshitsune arrives at Yoshino (nowadays Nara prefecture), his mistress Shizuka is already waiting for him. Yoshitsune informs her about the difficult situation he is facing and in a tearful scene of separation, he advises her to leave him and to wait for his return.
3. Ataka
Yoshitsune, Benkei and their porters disguise themselves as Buddhist monks. Then, they arrived at the frontier station Ataka (nowadays Ishikawa prefecture). The head guard seems to have noticed something suspicious about one monk, who is the disguised Yoshitsune himself. To draw attention, Benkei shouts toward Yoshitsune, "Go on porter, you loafer, get through there!", and Benkei beats Yoshitsune with a heavy stick. The head guard Togashi - understanding the situation - realizes Benkei's faithful heart and let them pass the frontier post. Just after crossing the Ataka frontier post, Yoshitsune takes Benkei's hand and thanks him for saving his life. Benkei start crying, asking his master's forgiveness for having beaten him. Finally, they continue their exile travel towards Michinoku (in the Tôhoku-area, North of Japan) on a cold, rainy morning in February just before dawn.
She is a tremendous story teller. It is a story about famous Japanese warrior of Genji clan who lived late 1100 ad.
Thank you so much for sharing this! A true treasure for generations to come, thank you!
I love this
she is my favorite modern story singer....
Anyone else here from Ghost of Tsushima? The opening melody of this can be heard on the soundtrack at the beginning of "Heart of the Jito."
Probably a nod to her. Shes big in tradicional story music.
I love this music.
What's this type is singing called. I'm trying to find the old male version
日本の文化 芸能では能と暗黒舞踏が好きでしたがそれに加えて琵琶も入りそうです。皆、世界に通用する日本の文化だと思います。
This may be the oddest thing, but something about this singer puts me in mind of Janis Joplin, especially her song about Alice
So epic! (get it? haha)
No, but really, tremendously exciting.