Tsurukame – Tadao Sawai (1992)
Koto & Shamisen
This is an ensemble piece for Koto and Shamisen, each instrument has a relatively long solo in the middle section.
TSURUKAME is one of the well-known Japanese traditional terms. Literally Tsuru refers to crane and Kame is turtle. These two are treated as symbol of good fortune in Japan. The composer named this piece TSURUKAME without any direct reference. However, it is fascinating how this simple term can fully express felicitation.