ISS Logo

The International Shakuhachi Society

- Recording: Zen Music - I -


Home

Schools

Discography

Lineage Charts

Pieces

People

Glossary

Other Sites

Teachers

Governors

For Sale

Member's Area

Search komuso.com

Zen Music - I

Zen Music - I

Track Title Kanji Length Shakuhachi Shamisen Koto
1  (Listen) Hi Fu Mi Hachigaeshi no Shirabe (Kinko Ryu) 一二三鉢返の調 10'05 Yamaguchi Goro

Hachigaeshi (returning of the bowl) means the action of a Komuso (mendicant Shakuhachi player), in returning the bowl when he is given a donation in it. This tune is an arrangement based on the feeling of gratitude for the donation. The Hifumi-no-Shirabe is a kind of prelude for adjusting the breath, moving the fingers and making preparation of one's mind. This tune of Hifumi and that of Hachigaeshi are combined and constitute the entire piece.
2  (Listen) Shin Kyorei 真虚霊 17'38 Yamaguchi Goro

About this tune there is a legend. It is said that in the Tang Dynasty in China, Fuke-Zen-Ji often walked along the streets ringing a bell. After his death his disciples composed this tune expressing their yearning for their master and it was later transmitted to Japan. Kyorei means the bell and Shin-no (true) represents the high grade of the tune. This is the oldest tune of those of this kind and is esteemed most highly of all.
3  (Listen) Kyushu Reibo (Kinko Ryu) 九州鈴慕 23'19 Yamaguchi Goro

The tune of the Reibo is transmitted in various styles by the Komuso temples in many districts of Japan. This tune is named after the district of Kyushu (the southernmost of the four major islands of Japan) where it has been played. Reibo is understood commonly as 'the yearning for the bell', by the Komuso may have possibly arranged a Shakuhachi folk tune into religious music. We may hereby interpret Reibo as meaning Rembo (longing).