AKIRAIFUKUBE.ORG - Japanese Suite

JAPANESE SUITE
(1933/1991)

Akira Ifukube (1991)

Japanese Suite is an orchestral arrangement of Ifukube's first composition, the Piano Suite from 1933. The orchestral arrangement was commissioned in 1991 by the Suntory Music Foundation. The first performance was given by the New Japan Philharmonic and was conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue.

Michiyoshi Inoue

Japanese Suite consists of four parts, an allegro, adagio, scherzo and finale.

The first movement is called "Bon odori" (Nocturnal Dance of the Bon Festival). Bon is a Buddhist festival to honor the spirits of the deceased. Ifukube wrote this movement based on the traditional music that accompanies the energetic dancing of the festival.

Traditional Bon odori dancers

The second movement is called "Tanabata" (Fête of Vega). Tanabata is star festival that was introduced to Japan from China. During this event, people write wishes or poetry on small pieces of paper and hang them on bamboo trees. After the festival, the bamboo and decorations are often set afloat on a river or burned. Ifukube's music for this movement invokes the dignified serenity of the event with slow, nocturnal melodies.

Woman with Tanabata festival decorations

The third movement is called "Nagashi" (Profane Minstrel). A nagashi is a homeless street performer. Ifukube's music for this movement begins with a fanfare which recalls the sound of a shamisen (a Japanese three-string guitar). Subsequently, the music alternates between slow and fast sections evoking both the nagashi's tragic lonesomeness and whimsical entertainments.

The fourth and final movement is called "Nebuta" (Festal Ballade). The Nebuta festival, which has its origins in the Aomori region of Japan, is celebrated in early August. The purpose of this event is to purge the world of demons before the arrival of the fall harvest season. During his college days, Ifukube visited Aomori had had the opportunity to observe this festival firsthand. The main characteristic of the Nebuta festival is an evening procession of floats and lanterns. Ifukube's music vividly illustrates the procession with a vigorous march. The movement begins quietly but gradually becomes louder suggesting the approach of lanterns. As the music progresses it becomes a frenzied ostinato suggesting the wild enthusiasm of the celebration.

Nebuta festival demons as depicted on a Japanese postage stamp

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