“In Nagauta, not only the melody, but the lyrics also have a very cultural element, so the pieces are extremely artistically done. ” -Mr Hozumi
In Nagauta lyrics, they are rich with parts taken from old Japanese, Kakekotoba (pivot words) and Engo (linked words) and if you peruse the translations you will find there are parts of Japanese language and culture deeply integrated. Furthermore, it’s not only the lyrics, but the sound and the rhythm of the words that should be focused on. Says Mr Hozumi,
“When translating old Japanese, there are culturally strange parts that can’t be translated perfectly like “The Pillow Book” or “The Tale of Genji”, so even I don’t know what they are talking about sometimes (lol), but I don’t mind if the lyrics don’t create a proper story.
So it’s not the story that is important , but it is the rhythm and the sound of the words flowing which is the only important thing.”
In conclusion, we want people to experience the sound of the world that Nagauta creates, by listening to the echo of the words flowing and not the meaning of the words themselves.
