This piece was commissioned in 2024 by Ryugasaki Junior High School Wind Band in Ryugasaki City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Ryugasaki City is home to a uniquely named shrine, Onabake Shrine, dedicated to the Inari deity and also known as Onabake Inari. This shrine is linked to the legend of the fox's gratitude, the "Onabake Monogatari," which inspired this composition.
The Legend Long ago, a man named Chugoro saved a fox from a hunter in the fields of Onabakehara. In gratitude, the fox transformed into a human woman, appeared before Chugoro, and eventually became his wife. They lived happily together, raising three children. However, one day, the children saw the fox's tail, revealing her true identity. Heartbroken at being discovered, the fox composed a farewell poem: "If anyone asks where the mother of my children has gone, tell them she weeps in sorrow, lying hidden in the fields of Onabake." She then disappeared into Onabakehara, never to return.
About the Composition The piece opens dramatically, heralding the beginning of the story, with a taiko solo leading listeners into the world of legend. The subsequent melody evokes the feeling of a storyteller beginning with "Once upon a time..." Solos by the flute and other woodwinds symbolize the mother fox. The sorrowful melody in the middle section, led by a flute and clarinet soli, portrays the tears flowing like a river during the parting scene. Occasionally, a playful rhythm suggests the fox leaping about, inspired by the shrine's numerous fox statues, which represent the divine messengers of Inari. The brighter sections reflect the shrine's historical significance as a popular pilgrimage site bustling with visitors during the Edo period. The climax features a unison brass line ascending triumphantly, reminiscent of the grand poses struck by kabuki actors at the dramatic conclusion of a performance, accompanied by exuberant traditional festival rhythms, providing a fittingly vibrant finale.
About the Title In 1885 (Meiji 18), the fifth-generation kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro performed a kabuki play based on this legend, titled Onabake Inari Tsuki no Oboroyo. Inspired by the beauty and resonance of the title, I decided to use it for this composition.
Performance Notes
For solos and flowing melodic passages, aim for deep, expressive phrasing that captures the emotional depth of the story. - Emphasize the contrast between the melancholic, serene sections and the lively, rhythmic parts. - Percussionists should explore Japanese styles, drawing inspiration from kabuki narimono and traditional festival music, striving for a spirited and stylish performance.
(Yuichi Abe)
