Ko-Uta: Little Songs of the Geisha World

This book of Japanese poetry and lyrics explores a little-known style of Japanese song called Ko-Uta . A Ko-Uta is translated as "little song" in Japanese. Unfamiliar to most Westerners, ko-uta are particularly in tune with the tradition of Japan's Edo-era merchants. Some ko-uta are aesthetic, many are earthy. Ko-uta are sung to the accompaniment of the shamisen a traditional, three-stringed Japanese lute. Ko-uta come to life when they are sung, and the best example of where they live is in the