The International Shakuhachi Society

Home

Schools

Discography

Lineage Charts

Pieces

People

Glossary

Other Sites

Teachers

Governors

For Sale

Member's Area

This is a Modern piece . This piece was composed for shakuhachi by Neptune, John Kaizan .

Temple Road appears on the following albums:

Album	Shakuhachi	Koto	Shamisen
Digital 45  (Listen)	Neptune, John Kaizan
Joy  (Listen)	Neptune, John Kaizan
TEMPLE ROAD (JUNREI - PILGRIMAGE) The combination of traditional Japanese instruments in this work is new: the biwa normally does not playa very strong melodic role, being usually only an accompaniment for narrative singing. Nevertheless, it "joins the shakuhachi and the various Japanese percussion instruments along this "Temple Road" where, just as on a Buddhist junrei or pilgrimage, they encounter many different experiences: there is a free-rhythm space - a rest - along the way, as well as the regularly repeated rhythms of footsteps on the paths. MUSIC STUFF: "Temple Road" begins with a free-rhythm trio for shakuhachi, biwa and tsuzumi (the latter is a variable pitch Japanese drum). The second section, beginning with the triangle-like sound of the atarigane (a small bell used in kabuki, and in Japanese festival music), is in 6/8 meter, at times alternating with a 3/4 meter feeling. The large odaiko drum and the tsuzumi have their "conversation," followed by the atarigane, uchiwadaiko, taiko, biwa and shakuhachi for the finish of the ''journey''.