Hokushu

The title of a Kiyomoto piece. The original title is "Hokushu Sennen no Kotobuki." The lyrics were written by Shokusanjin. It is said that the composer was Kawaguchi Onao, a former Yoshiwara geisha. It was first performed in 1818 (Bunsei 1). Hokushu refers to Yoshiwara, north of Edo. It is considered an important piece among Kiyomoto pieces along with "Ume no Haru," and is a happy piece that sings of the scenery and annual events of Yoshiwara throughout the year. As Shokusanjin, who is famous for his kyoka poetry, wrote the lyrics, the lyrics are elaborate, and at the end of the piece, he writes the name of Kiyomoto Enjudayu in the lyrics and prays for the development of his school. The melody is slow and gorgeous, but in the second half, it is varied with a good rhythm.

[Kiyoko Moteki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

清元(きよもと)の曲名。本名題『北州千歳寿(せんねんのことぶき)』。蜀山人(しょくさんじん)作詞。作曲は元吉原の芸者、川口お直といわれる。1818年（文政1）初演。北州とは江戸の北、吉原をさす。清元のなかでも『梅の春』と並んで重要な曲とされ、吉原の1年間の風物や年中行事を歌っためでたい曲である。狂歌で名高い蜀山人が作詞者だけに、凝った歌詞につくられ、曲の終わりには、清元延寿太夫(えんじゅだゆう)の名を歌詞に詠み込み、同流の発展を祈っている。ゆったりとした華やかな節付けだが、後半には間拍子(まびょうし)のよい節付けで変化をつけている。

［茂手木潔子］

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