Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) Traditional Japanese (play chords as open fifths) A‹ 4 &4 Ï Ï E‹ A‹ ú Ï sa - ku - ra sa - ku - ra 5 Ï Ï Ï mi - wa - ta - su mi - wa - ta - su 9 Ï Ï F A‹ a - sa - hi ni - o - i ú Ï E‹ Ï Ï Ï ú Ï ni zo - Ï no - ya - ma ya - yo - i mo no A‹ ri ri A‹ E‹ Ï Ï Ï ú ni - o i - zu Ï - Ï Ï A‹ ka - ga ka - ga A‹ & Ï A‹ sa - ku - ra sa - ku - ra A‹ & Ï E‹ u ru Ï Ï ka - su - mi ka - su - mi ka ka Ï A‹ Ï Ï Ï E‹ ú sa - ku - ra i - za - ya A‹ Ï F Ï Ï ú sa - to so - ra - A‹ Ï F Ï Ï ú ku - mo ku - mo A‹ Ï mo wa Ï ka ka E‹ ú sa - ku - ra i - za - ya rit. 13 A‹ & Ï Ï ha - na ni mi F Ï Ï Ï - za yu - ka ka E‹ - ú î ri n Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, on meadow-hills and mountains, As far as you can see. Is it a mist, or clouds? Fragrant in the morning sun; cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, Flowers in full bloom. Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, across the spring sky, As far as you can see. Is it a mist, or clouds? Fragrant in the air; come now, come now, Let's look, at last! Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) is a traditional Japanese folk song celebrating spring, used during the Edo period (1603-1867) as a training melody for children learning to play the koto. This tune employs one type of pentatonic scale which includes half-steps (A,B,C,E,F). For a traditional-sounding accompaniment, avoid using the notes D and G in the bass as well. For a koto-like sound, try playing the tune and/or accompaniment low on the strings near the soundboard ("près de la table"). From Teruyo Koshimiya * printed with permission * Puget Sound Folk Harp Society * www.reigningharps.com * Crystal Mt. 2011