AKIRAIFUKUBE.ORG - Otofuke Town Song

OTOFUKE TOWN SONG
(1970)

Main melody from Otofuke Town Song

Between the ages of 9 and 12, a young Akira Ifukube lived in the town of Otofuke, Hokkaido. Ifukube's father, Toshizo, was the mayor of this town where the population was 50% Japanese and 50% Ainu. Otofuke is where Ifukube was exposed to the traditional music and dancing of the Ainu which greatly affected his musical style in his later years as a composer.

In the year 1970, Otofuke officially became 70 years old. Ifukube was commissioned by the local government to compose a commemorative musical piece for the occasion. Thus, Ifukube wrote the Otofuke Town Song.

Otofuke Town Song can be played as a simple melody (see above) or with an orchestra and choir. A recording exists of the orchestral arrangement, but it is not known if it was ever released commercially.

Otofuke Town Song is slow and melodious, similar perhaps to the musical texture of Ifukube's own Kushiro Marshland score.

In May, 2001, days before Ifukube's 87th birthday, a small monument was established in Otofuke to honor the composer. The Otofuke Town Song score is included on the monument, just below Ifukube's portrait.

Otofuke Town Song being performed at the Otofuke 70th anniversary

Ifukube monument in Otofuke

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