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Chikuzen Sashi (Itchoken)

[Genre]Honkyoku
[School]Kyushu Kei

History (Jin Nyodo):

Itcho-ken: SASHI

1. About the title:

The sa of Sashi was originally a Sanskrit letter which was the special symbol of Kanzeon (or Kannon) Bosatsu, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. This sa (or satsu) eventually was written in various combinations of Chinese characters pronounced sashi. Therefore this piece is associated with religious austerities connected to Kannon Bosatsu: at the dawn of enlightenment it will be used for the redemption of all living beings according to the divine and universal revelations of Kannon Bosatsu. Jin Nyodo received and passed on this piece from Saito Inokuma and several others.

2. Structure of the piece

It has a binary structure [I (a-b) -- II (a-c)]. Section c is a musubi melody.

3. Special features of the piece:

The piece is played with kusabibuki land has a tight, tense mood. It is brimming with emotion which soars up in a straightforward, resolute manner. The special nature of Kyushu-style honkyoku is quite apparent, and it is one of the representative pieces of Itcho-ken.

Chikuzen Sashi (Itchoken) appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonHi Kyoku Shakuhachi : Tokuyama Takashi
Like Reibo, Sashi is a term associated with koten honkyoku. In fact, there appears to be many different songs that all share the title Sashi. It is possible that different versions of Sashi all share the same source, but this is uncertain. The Sashi performed here is of an unrefined style; basic and pure. As such, this version is particularly touching because of its rustic quality.
Play ButtonJin Nyodo No Shakuhachi 06 Shakuhachi : Jin Nyodo
Itcho-ken: SASHI

1-shaku 8-sun
5 min. 18 sec.

1. About the title:

The sa of Sashi was originally a Sanskrit letter which was the special symbol of Kanzeon (or Kannon) Bosatsu, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. This sa (or satsu) eventually was written in various combinations of Chinese characters pronounced sashi. Therefore this piece is associated with religious austerities connected to Kannon Bosatsu: at the dawn of enlightenment it will be used for the redemption of all living beings according to the divine and universal revelations of Kannon Bosatsu. Jin Nyodo received and passed on this piece from Saito Inokuma and several others.

2. Structure of the piece

It has a binary structure [I (a-b) -- II (a-c)]. Section c is a musubi melody.

3. Special features of the piece:

The piece is played with kusabibuki land has a tight, tense mood. It is brimming with emotion which soars up in a straightforward, resolute manner. The special nature of Kyushu-style honkyoku is quite apparent, and it is one of the representative pieces of Itcho-ken.