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

San'ya (Dokyoku)

三谷

[Genre]Honkyoku
[School]Dokyoku / Chikushinkai

History (Riley Kōho Lee):

Three Valleys

As with so many other honkyoku, there are many versions of San'ya. There are variations in the titles of this piece as well, for example, "Mountain Valley" (also pronounced 'san'ya'). The 'Three Valleys' may allude to a semi-mythical abode of enlightened beings, or to the 'three jewels' of Buddhism, the Buddha, the teachings, and the community. This version of 'Three Valleys' is the only piece on this recording not transmitted in the Chikuho lineage, instead being found in the Watazumi lineage.

San'ya (Dokyoku) appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonAutumn Field - Yearning for the Bell Volume 4 Shakuhachi : Riley Kōho Lee
Three Valleys

As with so many other honkyoku, there are many versions of San'ya. There are variations in the titles of this piece as well, for example, "Mountain Valley" (also pronounced 'san'ya'). The 'Three Valleys' may allude to a semi-mythical abode of enlightened beings, or to the 'three jewels' of Buddhism, the Buddha, the teachings, and the community. This version of 'Three Valleys' is the only piece on this recording not transmitted in the Chikuho lineage, instead being found in the Watazumi lineage.
Play ButtonBamboo In Zen Shakuhachi : Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos

Contrasts Shakuhachi : Seki Ichirō
Play ButtonHotchiku (CD) Shakuhachi : Watazumi Doso Roshi
("Mountain Valley")

The piece Sanya expresses a state of contemplation, as symbolized by the serene flowing of a stream hidden deeply in the mountains.

Contemplation is a part of Watazumi-Do's Way of Nature, and is centered around the secret breathing techniques whose purpose it is to train the breath and attain the unification of mind and body.

Sanya began in Oshu, and, through sound, expresses the state of contemplation.

A 2.7 shaku hocchiku named Rin was used for the playing of this piece. It was made by a 13-year old boy from a piece of bamboo that had been used for drying laundry, and is so flawed that some of the holes are placed on joints.

Using such flawed instruments flawlessly is part of the challenge of the Way of Dharma. Those who progress down this path are called "Followers of the Way of Dharma."
Play ButtonIn Dead Earnest Shakuhachi : Ishikawa Toshimitsu
Play ButtonIn Dead Earnest Part 2 Shakuhachi : Ishikawa Toshimitsu
Play ButtonJapanese Traditional Shakuhachi Shakuhachi : Yokoyama Katsuya
Chuukyoo district origin. Its title Sanya (three valleys) is believed to have derived from its melodic design with three climaxes each time dropping back to quieter music. Many different pieces of the same name exist.
Play ButtonKatsuya Yokoyama Plays Shakuhachi - 1 Shakuhachi : Yokoyama Katsuya
Chukyo district origin. Its title Sanya (three valleys) is believed to have derived from its melodic design with three climaxes each time dropping back to quieter music. Many different pieces of the same name exist.
Play ButtonKoten Shakuhachi Shakuhachi : Kakizakai Kaoru
This piece originates from around the Nagoya area. I was deeply impressed by a recording of this music made by my teacher Katsuya Yokoyama when he was young. He expressed an image for this honkyoku (traditional piece) which was quite new to me and it had a strong impact.

Marco Lienhard - Shakuhachi Shakuhachi : Marco Lienhard
Play ButtonMysterious Sound of Bamboo Flute - 1 Shakuhachi : Watazumi Doso Roshi

The name Sanya refers to the act of begging for alms. Thus, this piece is one that is meant to be played for an audience. The piece has 3 peaks of high notes surrounded by more simple, peaceful parts of the song. It originated in the Nagoya region.

The hocchiku used for this piece is 2.7 shaku, and was made from a bamboo laundry pole by a 14 year old child. Its construction was so haphazard that some of the finger holes are directly on top of the bamboo's nodes.

The hocchiku cracked in the middle of the performance and began leaking air, but the performance of the piece was fully completed anyway.

Poeme du Bambou Shakuhachi : Marco Lienhard

Searching - Yearning for the Bell Volume 7 Shakuhachi : Riley Kōho Lee
As with so many other honkyoku, there are numerous versions of San'ya. There are variations in the titles of this piece as well, for example, "Mountain Valley" (also pronounced 'san'ya'). The 'Three Valleys' may allude to a semi-mythical abode of enlightened beings, or to the 'three jewels' of Buddhism, the Buddha, the teachings, and the community. This version of 'Three Valleys', transmitted though the Chikuho lineage, is noted for its comparatively upbeat tempo.

Spirit of Dusk, The Shakuhachi : Iwamoto Yoshikazu
In the calmest expression of "San'ya" (Mountain Valley), the komuso musicians crystallized their spiritual journeys towards the eternal land of peace.
Play ButtonTajima Tadashi Shakuhachi no Sekai II Shakuhachi : Tajima Tadashi

The Voice of Bamboo Shakuhachi : Steven Casano
Shakuhachi : Steven Taizen Casano

Traditional Japanese Music Shakuhachi : Iwamoto Yoshikazu
San'ya - mountain valley

Also known in several variants all with the same title, each originating in a different area of Japan, each quite distinct in character and mood. Nevertheless, they do have one feature in common-the overall melodic curve. This takes the shape of a mountain with the main peak in the middle, i.e. they all start calmly in the lower register and gradually rise up to reach a peak both in pitch and intensity, then descend to a final calm ending.