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

Hi Fu Mi Cho (Taizan Ha)

一二三調

[Genre]Honkyoku
[School]Taizan Ha - 対山派

Hi Fu Mi Cho (Taizan Ha) appears on the following albums

Album Artist

Art of the Shakuhachi Vol I Shakuhachi : Mitsuhashi Kifu
Hifumi-cho is, like Choshi, a take-shirabe, a piece of an introductory nature, but it too has evolved into something of an independent composition. Hifumi-cho was introduced to the Kyoto Myoanji temple around 1895 by Higuchi Taizan (1856-1914), a player of the Kinko school in Tokyo.

Hifumi means ‘one two three,’ implying a beginner's first steps; cho (or shirabe) means ‘mode’ or more literally ‘exploration.’ This piece is often the first music a novice learns, both in the Kinko and Myoanji schools. Hifumi-cho is characterized by a melody that remains entirely within the lower octave of the instrument. For this reason the mood of the composition is very calm.

Hi Fu Mi Shakuhachi : Renkei Hashimoto
Shakuhachi pupils of the komuso tradition usually learn this piece first. The melody remains in the lower octave (otsu), i.e. there is no overblowing into the upper octave (kan). Like Honte choshi, Hifumi was originally played to warm up the instrument and regulate the breath and combined with numerous pieces. Today it is often played before the composition Hachi gaeshi or as an individual work.
Play ButtonIchion Jobutsu Shakuhachi : Matsumoto Kyozan

Koten Shakuhachi Gaku Zen Shū - 1 Shakuhachi : Takeuchi Shikō
Play ButtonMeianji Shoden Shakuhachi Honkyoku Shu 01 Shakuhachi : Yoshimura Sōshin Fuan
Play ButtonMyoan Sanjunana Sei Tanikita Muchiku Shu - 1 Shakuhachi : Tanikita Muchiku Roan

Standing Waves (CD) Shakuhachi : Torsten Olafsson