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I just brought home a fine box of Japanese records and many of the records had printed inserts to accompany them. This was also in the box, I can't tell if it was hand written or printed. I think hand written.

Anybody read Japanese? I would be eternally grateful to know what this says. I've sort of figured out 1, 2, 3, and 4 but the rest is beyond my meager ability.

You can view the note and an enlargement here:

http://pdx78s.cdbpdx.com/Japanese/20140722/Inserts/

Thanks! Cliff

Great find. We found a 5" Japanese record once down in Mexico.

This appears to be somebody's handwritten dictation of words from a Bunraku (A genre of Japanese Storytelling song) titled "The Story about the origin of Thirty-Three Columned House" (Sanju-san gendomunagino yurai (三十三間堂棟由来)". Since the writing says "Part 1", "Part 2", "Part 3", and "Part 4", I believe this was dictated from the record.

There was a Japanese Victor record of this piece made in 1928 in four parts by a famous Bunraku artist, Komatayu Toyotake 豊竹駒太夫 (1882 ~ 1941), and I believe this came from the record. I think you actually have posted Part 3 and 4 on YouTube.

[youtubehq]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bx569LC3A4[/youtubehq]

Mark.

transformingArt wrote:This appears to be somebody's handwritten dictation of words from a Bunraku (A genre of Japanese Storytelling song) titled "The Story about the origin of Thirty-Three Columned House" (Sanju-san gendomunagino yurai (三十三間堂棟由来)". Since the writing says "Part 1", "Part 2", "Part 3", and "Part 4", I believe this was dictated from the record.

There was a Japanese Victor record of this piece made in 1928 in four parts by a famous Bunraku artist, Komatayu Toyotake 豊竹駒太夫 (1882 ~ 1941), and I believe this came from the record. I think you actually have posted Part 3 and 4 on YouTube.

[youtubehq]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bx569LC3A4[/youtubehq]

Mark.

Very helpful! Thank you!

I just acquired a nice original collection of Japanese 78s and so far there has only been story telling, no real music to speak of. One of the stories covers 8 sides of 4 records. Lots of recording to do!

Thanks again!

Cliff

My wife is Japanese (born and raised). I'll have her take a look and see what it is.

My wife took a look at it and says that it is a story that was told during theater performances that dolls were used in. The title of the story (first set of kanji characters, top right) and the location and origin (second set of kanji characters middle right) reads "gidayu sanjusangendo yurai". Sanjusangendo is this place:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanj%C5%ABsangen-d%C5%8D#

My wife and I were there last summer on a month long vacation to Japan to travel and see family and old friends. I lived there over 20 years while on active duty. Great place to visit if you ever get the chance.

Scott

Here is a sample of the collection:

http://pdx78s.cdbpdx.com/Japanese/20140722/audio.html

There is no hint of westernization in this group so far, purely traditional Japanese.

Whew!

To my western ears, these are never going to make the pop charts, but I call your attention to Victrola 4131-A. Something ethereal about that one.

Cliff

CDBPDX wrote: I call your attention to Victrola 4131-A. Something ethereal about that one.

Cliff

Definitely not traditional Japanese music! More like Puccini. Singer has a lovely voice; reminds me of Galli-Curci.

Henry wrote:

CDBPDX wrote: I call your attention to Victrola 4131-A. Something ethereal about that one.

Cliff

Definitely not traditional Japanese music! More like Puccini. Singer has a lovely voice; reminds me of Galli-Curci.

I loaded this to YouTube and this is what the copyright police there are calling it:

関屋　敏子-恋はやさし〜喜歌劇「ボッカチオ」より　　　Hab' Ich Nur Deine Liebe

by Franz von Suppe

Cliff

CDBPDX wrote:

I just acquired a nice original collection of Japanese 78s and so far there has only been story telling, no real music to speak of. One of the stories covers 8 sides of 4 records. Lots of recording to do!

Thanks again!

Cliff

Just loaded all 8 parts to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5GP-FSFlVE

Over 25 minutes. Cliff