Home People Pieces Recordings Bibliography Schools Glossary Sites & Events Teachers Join the ISS Log In

Bamboo Grass - Yearning for the Bell Volume 2

Bamboo Grass - Yearning for the Bell Volume 2

"Volume 2 of the 7 volume "Yearning for the Bell" series."

Riley Kōho Lee
Tall Poppies - TP102
1997

Track Title Kanji Length Artist
1  Play Button Tōri 通里 05'36 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Tori / Passing was traditionally performed by the mendicant 'priests of nothingness' as they walked down the road while on their pilgrimages or while begging for alms.
2  Play Button Kadozuke (Nezasa Ha) 門附 (根笹) 02'58 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Kado tsuke / On the Corner was performed before an establishment, such as a house or store, where potential donors might reside. Most of this piece is played in the high register in order to call the people to come outside.
3  Play Button Hachigaeshi (Nezasa Ha) 鉢返 (根笹) 07'37 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Hachi gaeshi / Returning the Bowl is performed after the 'priest of nothingness' received alms, usually a bowl of uncooked rice. The priest would empty the rice into his collecting bag, return the bowl and then perform Returning the Bowl. This piece is therefore an expression of gratitude, on the part of the priest for the food which gives him life, and on the part of the donor for the opportunity to give.
4  Play Button San'ya Seiran 三谷清攬 14'13 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
San'ya seiran / Three Valleys The word san'ya means 'three valleys'. In this instance, it means the Buddhist term sanmai, which refers to the concentration developed during meditation. The meaning of the word seiran in this context is unknown.
5  Play Button Shishi 獅子 11'15 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Shishi / The Lion is said to have lived on a mythical mountain in China named Seiryozan (Japanese pronunciation). Pairs of lions, a male and a female, frequently guard the entrance to Buddhist temples in Japan.
6  Play Button Sagari Ha (Nezasa Ha) 下り葉 (根笹) 04'00 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Sagari ha / Falling Leaves is one of the most widely performed among the Nesasa ha honkyoku. This autumn piece alludes to the impermanence of existence.
7  Play Button Matsukaze (Nezasa Ha) 松風 (根笹) 12'05 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Matsukaze / Wind in the Pines The literal translation of the Japanese is "Pine Wind". This well-known title is found throughout Japanese performing art traditions.
8  Play Button Nagashi Reibo 流鈴慕 16'14 Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
Nagashi reibo / Wandering and Yearning for the Bell belongs to the family of Reibo pieces, from which this series of recordings takes its name. The legendary 'father' of the honkyoku tradition, Fuke (ca. C9th China), did not play shakuhachi, but rang a rei (hand-bell) instead. To his disciples, Fuke's bell has come to symbolize enlightenment. "Yearning for the bell" can therefore mean 'yearning for enlightenment'. The term nagashi also means 'flowing' or 'stream'.