"Shakuhachi honkyoku."

Tokuyama Takashi
Chiku-On-Ki - None
1987

Track	Title	Kanji	Length	Artist
1	Choshi (Taizan Ha)	調子	05'17	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	Expressing the essential spirit of koten honkyoku, Choshi serves to help establish pitch and to center the musician. Man masters say, "If you can but master this simple piece you can understand the essence of koten honkyoku."
2	Hi Fu Mi no Shirabe (Don't know which version)	一二三の調	03'50	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	As an introduction to the study of koten honkyoku, Hifumi-no-shirabe is often the first piece attempted by the novice. This piece makes use of an intricate fingering technique that serves to limber up and relax the hands. "Hifumi" - meaning simply "1- 2- 3" - is usually considered the foundation of the koten honkyoku repertoire. By confining the music to the lower register (otsu) of the shakuhachi, tones are more easily produced by the beginner.
3	Akita Sugagaki (Fudaiji)	秋田菅垣	07'18	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	This piece is one of the original eleven pieces brought to Kyoto by Higuchi Taizan from Fudaiji temple in Hamamatsu. Higuchi Taizan founded Meianji the temple in Kyoto. The title may possibly relate to season (Autumn), but any connection with Akita city or prefecture is usually dismissed as inaccurate. The originality of Akita-sugagaki rests in the clarity of the final "Takene" section, where, in the fluctuation of temp, a refreshing feeling is achieved.
4	Kokû (Taizan Ha)	虚空	09'27	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	Legend has it that a founding monk of the Meianji temple in Kyoto, Kaiso Kichiku (or possibly Kyochiku), climbed Asama-yama and spent the night in the Kokuzo meditation hall atop the mountain. In a mystical dream he heard this melody. Koku, which literally translates as "empty sky," is on of the three main pieces of Japanese honkyoku music for solo shakuhachi, (along with Mukaiji and Kyorei). It is also the longest and most melodic of the three.
5	Yobibue-Oteki	呼笛御的	01'32	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	The komuso are traditionally monks who visit neighborhoods and collect alms. They signal their arrival by playing the shakuhachi. They are most easily recognized by a large bamboo basket which they wear over their heads which symbolizes humility and anonymity. While standing before a Zen temple, the komuso plays this short piece three times beckoning the priest (Yobibue). If the priest is present, he responds by playing the oteki.
6	Akebono no Shirabe (Taizan Ha)	曙の調	04'32	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	This piece may also have originated from Kyoto's temple of Meianji, yet, since many temples claim Akebono-no-shirabe as their own, it is impossible to say for certain. This piece is designated as "gekyoku" which means "leisure piece" or "music played for fun." It was most typically played by Zen monks during their leisure time, and is best performed on a shorter flute.
7	Iyo Renbo	伊予恋慕	02'51	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	This piece comes from a sub-group of the Kyoto temple of Meianji , which is called Meian Shinpo-ryu. Works such as Iyo-renbo were often adapted from folk melodies or festival songs, as opposed to more traditional court music. The Meian Shinpo-ryu music is characterized by a constant tempo that departs from the traditional honkyoku music that relies solely on the breath to determine rhythm.
8	Kyushu Reibo (Taizan Ha)	九州鈴慕	04'23	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	The southern island of Kyushu is one on the founding places of koten honkyoku. Kyushu-reibo is said to have come from Icchoken temple in Hakata. This temple, as well as the island of Kyushu in general, was home to many komuso. During the Edo era, many wandering komuso would stay at these temples, exchanging different pieces and shakuhachi techniques. Gradually, a distinctive fingering technique developed that is now associated with the shakuhachi music that contains the word "reibo" in the title. Fukozenji was a monk of the temple of Ichyokenji. His duties included ringing the bell to announce different functions of the temple. It is said that Fukozenji composed Kyushu-reibo by concentrating on the image or spirit of the temple bell.
9	Chikuzen Sashi (Itchoken)	薩	04'58	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.
10	Ho Rai	蓬莱	11'29	Shakuhachi: Tokuyama Takashi
	This song comes from rinzai Zen temple, Kokutaiji, located in Toyama Prefecture. The title Horai itself comes from Mt. Horai, a mythical Chinese peak where one does not experience old age. Horai is composed in a minor key, and uses the Miyakobushi scale. This melodic mode will be familiar to most admirers of Japanese music. The shakuhachi itself has only five holes that alone produce a pentatonic scale. Quarter tones are made by partially covering the holes and adjusting the angle of one's neck while playing. These flattened tones create a somber mood within the piece. One will notice many repetitious phrases within Horai, which is reminiscent of the standard sankyoku piece Rokudan.