The Pillow Book Project

—The Four Seasons of Ancient Japan for flute, vibraphone and narrator

Composed by David Schober (b. 1974, USA)

The opening essay of “The Pillow Book” (ca. 996-1000) by Sei Shonagon has been memorized and recited by every Japanese person.  The beauty of the writing instantly lifts our spirits and brings us to ancient imperial Kyoto. 

This piece has four movements representing each of the four seasons just as Sei Shonagon described in her essay.  The instrumentation of the piece is for flute and vibraphone, reflecting the clear and crystalline nature of the original writing.  A narrator recites the original text in both English and Japanese before each movement.

Forest Trilogy Project

—For Marimba and Choir

"Forest Trilogy" is a set of three works for marimba and choir. Makoto commissioned the three pieces from Akemi Naito (Japan), Jacob Bancks (U.S.) and David Bruce (U.K.).  Each of them have used the texts of poets from their own countries; respectively, Buddhist monk Saigyo from the 12th century, Walt Whitman and David Bruce wrote the text himself.  All the poets wrote about their thoughts on wood and forest.

 David Bruce (b.1970) : Songs in Wood (in four movements)

Akemi Naito (b.1956) : Five Waka by Saigyo

Jacob Bancks (b.1982) : O Magnet South

The Story of Aoyagi Project

—Image Projection and Marimba Music

Story:  Lafcadio Hearn

Original Idea conceived by: Makoto Nakura

Script: Makoto Nakura , Music:  Akemi Naito, Photo: Emi Hatsugai, Computer Graphics: Takashi Ui

One of the earliest Japanologists, Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) wrote “The story of Aoyagi” based on Japanese folklore.  A young samurai Tomotada knocks on a door of a little cottage in a big snow storm. He meets the beautiful Aoyagi (Green Willow), and quickly falls in love. This story of love and innocence is interwoven with Japanese Waka poetry and Chinese poetry. When sudden death visits Aoyagi, she reveals her secret.

“The Story of Aoyagi” will be presented with projecting photos having English subtitles, and solo marimba music. Evocative and sensitive “Memory of the woods” by the Japanese composer, Akemi Naito will be played by solo marimba with the image projection.