Yamanobe no Michi

“Yamanobe no Michi” (road at the foot of a mountain) is located east of the Yamato basin. It is the oldest road in Japan and is about 35km (21.5 miles) long. The oldest market and positions used for trading merchandise over the centuries are found along this road. While composing this work the composer visualised the activity along “Yamanobe no Michi” imagining the solemn procession of the aristocracy, as well as the chaos that traffic often presents. He also kept in mind the tumultuous history that this road has seen and still represents today.