Akenokane - Bell of Dawn

Japanese: 明の鐘 - あけのかね

Nagauta. The lyrics and composer, and the date of composition are unknown. Also known as "Yoi wa machi." It is a mitsugari meriyasumono (a type of song that is easy to follow), and is often used to teach beginners. It is a song that expresses the feelings of a woman waiting for a man and about parting at dawn, and is a song full of emotion. However, the lyrics are not suitable as an introductory piece for children, so in some cases, alternate lyrics of "Ume Sakura" (Plum Cherry Blossoms, Are They a Mist?) written by Hozumi Nobushige are used. This is a different song from the same-titled piece in "Meriyasu Ho Nengura" (1757).

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

長唄。作詞･作曲者，作曲年代は不明。別称《宵は待ち》。三下りのめりやす物で，稽古の手ほどきによく用いられる。女が男を待つ気持ちや，明けの別れをうたったもので，それらしい情のこもった曲だが，子供の入門曲としては歌詞内容がふさわしくないので，穂積陳重（ほずみのぶしげ）作詞の《梅さくら》(梅桜さては霞か)という替え歌詞を用いる場合もある。《女里弥寿豊年蔵（めりやすほうねんぐら）》(1757)の同名曲とは別曲。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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