Autumn colored variety - Aki no irokusa

The title of a Nagauta piece. Commonly known as "Irotane." First performed in 1845 (Koka 2). The lyrics were written by the lord of Morioka, Nanbu Toshinari, and the music was composed by the 10th Kineya Rokuzaemon. It is said to be a piece in which Rokuzaemon demonstrated his talent at the request of his patron, Lord Nanbu, and some say that the lyrics were written by his wife. Along with "Azuma Hakkei," this is a representative Nagauta piece for concerts. The lyrics sing of the scenery of autumn fields and the beauty of flowers, birds, wind, and the moon, and Chinese characters are used here and there, showing the sophistication of the lyricist and his mischievous intention to annoy Rokuzaemon. The tuning is Honcho → Niagari → Sanagari. These include "Mushi Aikata," which incorporates the chirps of the pine crickets from the Chinchirorin, and "Koto no Akata," which features the melody and tone of the Koto Kororinshan in a high-pitched tone, making it an entertaining piece. Both the shamisen and the singing are performed with highly skilled technique.

[Kiyoko Moteki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

長唄(ながうた)の曲名。通称「色種」。1845年（弘化2）初演。盛岡藩主南部利済(としなり)作詞、10世杵屋(きねや)六左衛門作曲。六左衛門が後援者の南部侯の求めに応じてその力量を示した作品といわれ、作詞は一説には南部侯の夫人ともいう。『吾妻八景(あづまはっけい)』と並ぶ演奏会用長唄の代表曲で、歌詞は秋の野辺の情景と花鳥風月の趣を歌い、ところどころに漢文も使われ、作詞者の教養と、六左衛門を困らせようとしたちゃめっ気が感じられる。調弦は、本調子→二上り→三下り。チンチロリンの松虫の鳴き声を入れた「虫の合方(あいかた)」や、箏(こと)のコロリンシャンの旋律と音色を上(うわ)調子でおもしろく聞かせる「琴の合方」があり、三味線、唄ともに高度な技巧で演奏される。

［茂手木潔子］

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