The honkyoku of the Tozan style consist mostly of pieces composed or arranged by Nakao Tozan (l876-1956). Although influenced by the older Fuke honkyoku, Tozan was best known for his composition and organizing techniques. As a composer Tozan was very much a product of his times, but he paved the way for the shakuhachi to enter the last of the 2Oth century as a much respected musical instrument.
"Tsuru no Sugomori” ("The Nesting of the Cranes") is as well-known as "Shika no Tone." The origins of this piece are found in the early Fuke honkyoku, but Nakao Tozan greatly arranged and modified the piece. The music is representative of two parent cranes as they lovingly raise a child, a metaphor, of course, for human parental love and care. Played with two shakuhachi, this piece contains many interesting musical phrases and techniques suggesting the crane: wings taking to flight and lovely, evocative melodies juxtaposed with sections of contrasting tempos.
|