安来節 その二 - Yasugi Bushi 2 (Song of Yasugi)

To continue with the Yasugi Bushi, we have to consider the popularity of Oito’s singing and Tokunosuke’s shamisen playing. It grew very rapidly and since it had become fixed, as I wrote last week, they felt the need to protect the original character of the song. Therefore, they formed the ”Orthodox Yasugi Bushi Preservation Society” in 1911. At that time, formal rankings were established for singers. After the Taisho Era, it had become strongly established and is now taught and sung in the standard way.

人々を魅了したお糸の歌と徳之助の三味線を抜きにして、安来節を語ることは出来ません。先週も述べた様に、二人の人気は急速に高まり、それが標準となる様相を呈して来たことから、彼らは本来の安来節を保護する必要性に駆られ、一九一一年、「正調安来節保存会」を設立します。同時に、歌い手に等級を付ける制度も始めました。この結果、大正時代以降、本来の安来節は確固たる地位を確得し、今日まで歌い継がれています。

However, it is still flexible in the sense that the emotions of the singer can be expressed in the song. From this point of view, it is really a song from the people’s heart. I really enjoy hearing the song when there is a party for foreign people, because I can get comments on the real Japan and its art. While talking about such things, I also learn the reason they wanted to come to Japan and the benefit they expect to gain from it.

しかし、歌い手が自分の気持ちを込めて歌う事が許されるという意味では、安来節は未だ許容性を保っていると言えます。安来節は人々の心から生まれた歌なのです。 外国人が集まるパーティーで、この歌を聞くことを私はとても楽しみにしています。真の日本とその美に対する彼らの見解について聞く事が出来るからです。そこから、彼らが日本を訪れた理由、日本で何をしたいかといったことが分かって来ます。

Shimane Prefecture had a Cultural Fair in New York City in June of this year and the Yasugi Bushi was played there. My friend, Mr. Randy Quinby, from Pennsylvania, went to see it and it made him homesick for Shimane. He also told me that the exhibition hall had been so full that many people were standing. All of them appeared charmed by the wonderful culture of Shimane Prefecture. Maybe some of them will visit us. I certainly hope so. I will enjoy talking to them about the places I love best, Matsue and Izumo.

去る六月、島根県はニューヨーク市で島根文化展を開催し、安来節もそこで披露されました。ペンシルべニアに住んでいる私の友人、ランディー・クインビー氏も訪れ、島根が恋しい、と語ってくれました。彼の話では、会場は満員で、立ち見の人が大勢いたということです。彼の話から察するに、その場にいた人全員が島根の文化に魅せられた様です。彼らが島根を訪れ、私の最も愛する場所、松江と出雲についてお話し出来る機会が来ることを望みます。