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Sange (Shomyo)

散華(上段)

[Genre]Shomyo

Sange (Shomyo) appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonFascination of the Shakuhachi - 5 Shakuhachi : Yamamoto Hōzan
Play ButtonMusic of Japan, The - Vol I
Play ButtonMusical Anthology of the Orient, Unesco Collection Vol 4
SANGE, "The scattering of lotus flowers" is a kada, a special form of Buddhist hymn. It opens the ceremony of Tsuina-shiki-hoe, usually celebrated on the 3rd or 4th of February. (Occasional shifts of the date occur). Sange is intoned at the Jodojo, the symbolic purification of temple and clergy. On the festival of Tsuina, which is a ceremony to chase away the devils, the kada "Sange" is accompanied by the scattering of propitious beans to the pious crowds assembled before the temple.

"We scatter lotus-flowers to the ten quarters,
We scatter lotus-flowers like a bunting
We scatter many lotus-flowers to the ten quarters
And worship the innumerable Buddhist saints."

The classical vocal ornaments, the trills and shakes, the abrupt opening of the voice, the emphatic breaks and expressive morendo are performed with supreme skill.

Performer: Rev. Dosen Takayama. Instruments: keisu and shokei.
Recorded in the Eiheiji on November 22nd 1953.