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Mountain Valley

Mountain Valley

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

Riley Kōho Lee
New World Productions - NWCD715
1994

Track Titel Kanji Länge Künstler
1  Play Button 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  Play Button 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  Play Button 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  Play Button 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  Play Button 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  Play Button 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  Play Button 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.