Explanation:

• Picture
• Image A: Melodic Line
• Melody: The main melody of this song begins at 0.24 after a solo by the traditional Japanese Koto. The melodic line is made up of fourteen bars and nine phrases (seen in Image A). This main melodic line, or recurring motif, is repeated often throughout the solo. The repetition of this motif is what makes this song possess folk song-like qualities: simple melodic line and use of repetition. The melodic line consists of conjunct notes, as notes typically move by one tone. Aside from the fourth, sixth, and eighth bar when the notes move two tones.
• This piece has folk song-like qualities because of the simplicity in the melodic line and the repetition of the motif throughout the song. There is a prominence of the melodic line the listener can hear repeated at 0:24 and again at 2:49. The song has a medium tessitura with nine notes (one note greater than an octave). There are no long held notes so the phrases are very horizontal. The melody is based on the A minor pentatonic scale; no accidentals to indicate a minor tonality however, there is emphasis on the tonic note and dominant note of the A minor scale( I: A first note of the song, IV: E ending note of the song).
• Form: This piece is in binary form. The entire song is made up of two main sections, where the motif is featured and where there is a Koto solo playing an interlude between the repetitions of the motif.
• Picture
• Image B: Cadences
• Medium: This song is a Koto solo. The Koto is a traditional Japanese instrument that is comparable to a harp. It has anywhere from 17-25 strings, but this varies. The sound is entirely acoustic.
• Harmony: The song is based on the pentatonic scale, non-tertian harmony built in octaves. There is an emphasis on the 4th degree of the scale. There are cadences in the melodic line, some complete some incomplete, (seen in Image B: Cadences) there is an incomplete cadence at the end of the first and second bar and a completed cadence at the end of bar four. The very end of the piece has an incomplete cadence which leaves the listener in suspense.
• Metre: This piece is in duple metre 4/4, and moves at a very slow tempo, adagio. There are sections in the piece where the rhythms are very simple and times when they can be more complex. In the main melodic line (0:23-1:39 part A in form chart) the notes and rhythms are conjunct and simple, with quarter notes and eighth notes. Then while the Koto is playing (1:39-2:49 part B in form chart), there are sixteenth notes playing conjunct.
• Texture: This piece is a hybrid for its use of both monophony and polyphony. In the second verse both part A and part B (1:39), the Koto adds arpeggiated chords and also has the motif playing along quietly. The use of monophony is at 0:24 with only the main melody that is played.
• Context: "Sakura" means cherry blossoms in Japanese. The song talks about the cherry blossoms in blooming season. The song depicts the seasons changing (when spring arrives). It is said that the song has been around for many years but in the late 1800s it was put into print with a note depiction.
• Composer: It was a popular urban tune that many people would sing to pass time. It was not until the late 1800s when the Tokyo Academy of Music issued the song to be printed for a Koto solo.