"Traditional Zen solo pieces recorded in the Jenolan Caves."

Riley Kōho Lee
New World Productions - NWCD715
1994

Track	Title	Kanji	Length	Artist
1	San'ya (Don't know which version)	三谷	12'00	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Mountain-Valley This piece is one of a number of variations of what might be considered a family of related honkyoku rather than a single piece. Other variations have different names. A more common name is "Three Valleys" also pronounced "San'ya" in Japanese. The Mountain-Valley version is said to have been transmitted primarily within the northern part of the island of Honshu in Japan. Performed in this recording on a rare ji nashi (without filler) 3.1 shaku length instrument (I shaku = 30.3 cm). Nearly all of the shakuhachi used on this recording are constructed with the use of fillers so as to create a bore with dimensions most conducive to producing even voiced and loud notes throughout the range of the instrument. Ji nashi flutes are considered by some to be able to express the soul of the bamboo better than those with filler, even though they are more demanding of the performer.
2	Tsuru no Sugomori (Dokyoku)	鶴の巣籠	06'30	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Suzuru - Nesting of the Cranes There are many versions of the "Crane Pieces" .This piece, also known as "Koden Tsuru no Sugomori" (Old Transmission of the Nesting of the Cranes), is believed to have been one of the earliest versions. A different version is the title track of the CD Nesting of the Cranes, also by Riley Lee. The crane is revered in Japan for its beauty and its mating and nesting habits. The Japanese cranes mate for life and are exceptionally attentive as parents. Performed on a 1.8 shaku flute.
3	Nagashi Reibo	流鈴慕	17'07	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	'Yearning for the Bell' While Begging for Alms The word 'Reibo' is incorporated in the titles of many honkyoku. It refers to the handbell used by the mythical founder of the shakuhachi playing sect of Zen Buddhist priests, Fuke Zenji. To Fuke's students and the countless generations of shakuhachi players to follow, Fuke's bell symbolizes enlightenment to which they yearn or aspire. 'Nagashi' refers to alms begging or mendicancy, an integral part of one's spiritual practice. This piece was transmitted by the Nesasa lineage of the Kimpu style of shakuhachi playing and is noted for its use of komi-buki ('crowded breath'), a pulsating breath technique thought to be conducive to concentration of the mind. Performed on a 2.4 shaku flute.
4	Asuka Reibo (Chikuho Ryu)	飛鳥鈴慕	03'48	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Yearning for the Bell of Asuka This is another version of the "Reibo" piece, transmitted in the Asuka district of Japan. Unlike most of the "Reibo" pieces, this version is very short in duration. It is performed here on an uncommonly short instrument, only 1.3 shaku in length.
5	Oshû Nagashi	奥州流	05'23	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Wandering Through the Inner Provinces There are a number of pieces with the word nagashi incorporated in their titles, for example "Nagashi Reibo" (selection three of this recording). Nagashi literally means 'drifting' or 'flowing', but in this case refers to alms begging. This "Nagashi" is from a northern district of Japan previously known as Oshu (Inner Province). The flow of wind and water can be heard in the distinctive melodic phrases of this classical honkyoku. Performed on a 2.1 shaku flute.
6	Ryûhei	流謫	10'32	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Exile This piece is said to have been composed by Sakai Chikuho I early this century, and if so, is not a classical honkyoku, which by definition were anonymously created within an oral tradition rather than composed by a known individual. It is considered a classic, nevertheless. Much of the beauty of this piece is in its trance-inducing final section, which fades away into nothingness. Performed on a 2.4 shaku length flute.
7	Taki Ochi (Taizan Ha)	滝落	13'45	Shakuhachi: Riley Kōho Lee
	Cascading Waterfall Piece The word 'waterfall' in Japanese is taki. As with many honkyoku, there are many versions of this piece. The complete title of this version is "Betsuden Takiochi no Kyoku" (Special Transmission of the Cascading Waterfall Piece). Classified as a 'secret' piece, it is one of the last honkyoku taught in the Chikuho ryu or lineage and is transmitted only to 'initiated' members of the lineage. Waterfalls are frequently the focal point of temples or temple complexes in Japan. Performed on a 2.6 shaku length flute.