Heike Monogatari - 平家物語 by Duo Ueda Offermans in Tsuruoka, Japan

A concert video of Heike Monogatari (The battle of Dan-no-Ura), a composition-arrangement by the Japanese-Dutch Duo Ueda Offermans (satsuma-biwa player Junko Ueda and flutist Wil Offermans). Recorded live during their Japan tour 2024 at the Heishin-do (the former Kazama family residence), Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata, Japan on 18th October 2024. Production by the Tsuruoka Research Centre of Sustainable Society.

平家物語
壇ノ浦の戦いより
作曲＆編曲：デュオ上田オッフェルマンズ
上田純子：薩摩琵琶、声
ウィル・オッフェルマンズ：フルート
丙申堂、旧風間家住宅 （国指定重要文化財）山形県鶴岡市
2024年10月18日
企画制作：鶴岡持続可能社会研究所

Timeline Chapters:
00:00 - Intro flute 'Honami'
04:15 - Intro biwa
06:49 - The battle preparation scene
07:51 - Duo biwa & flute 1
09:16 - The battle scene
11:34 - Duo biwa & flute 2
15:04 - The last scene
18:32 - Coda

Heike Monogatari (the Tale of the Heike) is a well-known 13th century Japanese epic, which has been performed during the ages in many different versions and styles, however the main characteristic - its reciting - always has been present. The stories are based on the Buddhist idea of cause and effect and human life's impermanence. Heike Monogatari describes the short-term prosperity of the Heike clan, from the beginning of the twelfth century till their ruin in 1185, when they lost their war with the Genji clan from Kamakura (just south of nowadays Tokyo). Heike was located in the Kyoto area, but during the war, while attempting to escape, they gradually moved southward, so that most of the famous war stories happened somewhere in the Inland Sea of Seto.

The piece is composed around the traditional story of Dan-no-Ura. The story of Dan-no-Ura represents the climax of Heike Monogatari and describes the last scene of the war between the Heike clan and the Genji clan at the Dan-no-Ura inlet, near Shimonoseki (nowadays south-west of Japan). On this sea, the battle is reaching its end. Here, both clans show their last energy and courage. The inlet of Dan-no-Ura is fully covered by the boats of Heike and Genji. This scene reminds one to a little waving stream carrying fallen autumn leaves. Heike is defeated completely. Most boats of Heike are sunk. The others are floating aimlessly in the Dan-no-Ura inlet. The Heike women, dressed in heavy costumes, commit suicide together with the children by jumping from their boats. Among them are a little boy and his grandmother Nii-dono (the wife of Kiyimori, who is the head of Heike). Before they jump into the water, Nii-dono explains her grandchild (who is the actual present emperor) there is a beautiful capital waiting for him at the bottom of the sea.

Duo Ueda Offermans is a Japanese - Dutch contemporary music duo. Their music explores the sound of extended flute techniques like circular breathing, bamboo tones, harmonics, multiphonics, the particular sound of biwa and the voice based on the Japanese traditional singing. Via their compositions and improvisations, the duo cultivates their music in the field where different cultures meet and create an identity between ancient and modern, oriental and occidental.

The concert program of the duo includes each solo performance presenting Japanese traditional biwa music and flute solo compositions, and duo performance performing own compositions, improvisation and pieces by Tôru Takemitsu. Some of their pieces involve live-electronics. During the last years, the duo has appeared at numerous music festivals and has toured extensively in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Two duo CDs have been released: "How to Survive in Paradise" (VDE-Gallo CD732) and "Dejima Suite" (E-records CDE011).

More info about the musicians:
Duo Ueda Offermans: https://www.uedaoffermans.com
Junko Ueda: https://www.junkoueda.com
Wil Offermans: https://www.wiloffermans.com

Other videos from their Japan Tour 2024:
   • Murasaki-no-Ue (Genji Monogatari) • 紫...   (by Duo Ueda Offermans in Nagasaki)
   • Yoshitsune 義経 • Junko Ueda: satsuma-b...   (solo by Junko Ueda in Tsuruoka)
   • Tsuru-no-Sugomori - Wil Offermans at ...   (solo by Wil Offermans in Tsuruoka)