Ogi No Mato

[POD {Ò¿Ó}]

Just doing a google on this and have already found some interesting
stuff, for starters, it's an 18th century book....

"Jichosai; Tobaye Ogi no Mato [The Target of the Fan.] Osaka, Kawachiya
Kihei, and one publisher in Edo. Kwansei 2, 1790, 25 x 18 cm., III
Volumes. 9, 9, 9 Sheets, Colophon, Original wraps, title slips. Tobaye
was an original Japanese caricature and cartoon style like nothing else
in the world before or since. The original editions are now extremely
rare. Zany figures doing improbable things. This volume is full of scale
changes that makes one think the figures are little people, smaller than
turnips on occasion, then suddenly they are full scale again. The
figures go through the seasons, ending in winter with the new year. Toda
P.344, who describes the first edition of 1788. Ours is probably the
second issue. Wraps worn, title slips chipped, but a Very Good copy.
Fine Printing and state of the plates. $2,750.00"


You see the English translation there "The Target of the Fan." while
Amazon have a CD with the track on, on which it translates it as "The
Folding Fan as a Target" which I like a whole lot more.

Another site claim....
"The Folding Fan as a Target

This famous piece for voice and biwa is based on a complex legend
similar to that of William Tell, in which a folding fan,
instead of the famous Swiss apple, serves as the target. Most biwa music
is quite ancient. Voice and instrument in the narrative chants tend to
complement each other as in Western recitative; the large ornamental
leaps for the voice are characteristic of the genre."

Which flies in the face of a decription I had of it being a song about
gang warfare..

[POD {Ò¿Ó}]

It appears that the literal translation according to babelfish, is "Mark of
Fan" which doesn't make much sense.

Also, It appears that it should be Ougi-no-mato, and here is the myth...

http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/o/ouginomato.htm

That webpage also gives the actual japanese characters, and a search on
that is giving great result, but as yet, no translation of the song lyrics.

Another interesting read on the subject ;-)
http://www.cnfc.or.jp/plutonium/pl32/pluto.e.html

[Father Viv]

Post by POD {Ò¿Ó}
It appears that the literal translation according to babelfish, is "Mark of
Fan" which doesn't make much sense.

If an archer finds his mark, he finds his target. Do keep up...

[POD {Ò¿Ó}]

The thought of Father Viv cajoles my mind into reminiscing about the
smell of poppy seeds and the image of morning dew making
alt.fan.blade-runner glint in the crisp autumn rays of a mature sun.

Post by Father Viv

Post by POD {Ò¿Ó}
It appears that the literal translation according to babelfish, is
"Mark

of

Post by POD {Ò¿Ó}
Fan" which doesn't make much sense.

If an archer finds his mark, he finds his target. Do keep up...

Well to be honest, literal translation will be fan of mark, which really
doesn't make any sense!

[Father Viv]

Post by POD {Ò¿Ó}
Well to be honest, literal translation will be fan of mark, which really
doesn't make any sense!

Damn those Japanese! It's like they have a different word for everything!

[Luba Luft]

On Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:40:37 -0000, "Father Viv"

Post by Father Viv

Post by POD {Ò¿Ó}
Well to be honest, literal translation will be fan of mark, which really
doesn't make any sense!

Damn those Japanese! It's like they have a different word for everything!

Damn those Americans and Brits. It's like they have several different
words for everything! ;)