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15

Love-Lay Indited by the Mikado Temmu

A.D. 673-86

From the Manyôshiu

The musical setting is founded on the following fragments of original Japanese themes.

\new Staff { \clef treble \omit Score.TimeSignature \time 4/4 \key c \major \relative c'' { r4 f e8. d16 bes8 d16 e \time 1/4 a,4 \bar "||" \time 9/8 e8 g4 a8[g] e4 r \bar "||" \time 4/4 b''8 b b a f4 e c'8 b b a b b b a f4 e2 b'4 \bar "||" } }

Nature plays so intimate a part in the Japanese life, it is little wonder their greatest emotions are compared to some phase of nature.

Just as we find constant reference to the falling cherry blossom, meaning shortness and illusion of mortal existence, so the perpetual snow and rain is symbolic of unending love.

15048 – 19
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