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