Vocal & apanese words Izumi Kimoto
English words Steven Leeper
Music & Arrangement Daisuke Iwasaki
Scarborough Fair
In the hope of world peace, We offer from Hiroshima the hidden anti-war lyrics of Simon&Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair accompanied by Gagaku. This ancient imperial count music is more than 1200 years old.
I dedicate this CD to my grandparents who lost their lives in Hiroshima during the atomic bombing. Everyone, please visit Hiroshima to learn the importance of peace.
This is probably the oldest Japanese song whose original lyrics were applied later in the era of Muromachi (1334-1573) over Gagaku melody played by traditional instruments.
Izumi has made arrangements by applying some old poems over the melody; four-season scenery poem made by Monk Jien (1155-1225) in the 1st and the 2nd chapters of this song and an Irohauta poem made by Monk Kobo-Daishi (774-835) in the 3rd chapter and sung with a slight jazzy twist to create her beautiful style of fusion.
Izumi wrote lyrics based on a sudden strong inspiration which came to her when she visited Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine in Shimane. It is about the gifts of hardship given to us by gods in order to find true happiness after overcoming our troubles.
From You and Back to You
Izumi's lyrics are translated into five languages: Spanish, Korean, English, French, and Arabic.
Aisansan
Chugokuchiho-no-Komoriuta (Local Lullaby of Chugoku Region)
