This piano suite was commissioned by Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting (CBC) in 1969 for participation in the Arts Festival, under the title "Beautiful Japan." Needless to say, this is the "title" of the lecture delivered by Mr. Yasunari Kawabata upon receiving the Nobel Prize. However, this piece was not specifically inspired by the literary content of his work. Rather, it seems to be a common traditional sentiment among us Japanese to find beauty in the natural landscapes of Japan's four seasons.

This suite consists of "Prelude, Warabe-uta (Children's Song), Kusakari-uta (Grass-cutting Song), Paraphrase on Heikyoku, Roei-style Fantasy, and Sokyoku-style Finale." The musical materials for these pieces are seasons and landscapes, and they are indirectly linked to the historical background from which our ancestors were inspired to compose for Japanese instruments (including voice).

Roei-style Fantasy is based on a poem with the theme of Altair and Vega (the Cowherd and Weaver Girl), and is composed in a somewhat ornate style inspired by the Roei style of Heian-era songs. Warabe-uta is based on children's songs from the Nagoya region, expressing a simple connection with nature. ...