Hi everyone,
Just a few words to tell you about what went on in Tokyo last weekend.
The third International Shakuhachi Convention was held in Tokyo and, I feel,
was a huge success - as were the first 2 (Bissei, Okayama-Ken 1994, Boulder
1998).
There was much representation of all schools (more Tozan and Dokyoku than in
Boulder), as well as first time stuff (Minyo, Rare Recordings, an Enka party
as well as Shakuhachi used with Rock & Techno music).
For you Westerners out there, I think we did quite well, although of the 230
attendants, probably only 20 were non-Japanese.
In the "open-Mike" (not really- they were planned), concerts, I heard really
impressive work (mostly modern) by 2-players from Australia and 1 from
France.
Also, the usual gang of Western professional Shakuhachi players performed
their own compositions well, and were well received (Riley Lee, John Neptune
Kaizan , David Wheeler, and Chris Blasdell).
For my own part, I felt very honored to be included in what I thought was
the best part of the 7-Hour concert on the last day - the HONKYOKU section.
It began with a performance by a priest from Kochi, followed by Zennosuke,
myself, Furuya, Mitsuhashi Kifu, Kawase, and ended with Aoki Reibo.
For any of you unfamiliar with these Japanese masters, you should try to
hear them, they are top-notch !! (Araki-Kodo was there and gave a workshop
which I took as well, but did not play in the Concert. Yamamoto Hozan - the
new Living National Treasure was his usual excellent self in his ensemble
performance of his own piece)
Back to Westerners - the "4th Rookie of the Year Concert" was won by the
only non-Japanese player- Peter Hill, from the USA, who also played very
well at one of the open-mike concerts.
I also enjoyed meeting two other Western players:
1-Cathy from Colorado, with her "I want to absorb all that I can!" attitude,
was delightful.
2-Kiku Day (recently from London, originally Denmark), who was interesting,
charming and talented. Kiku makes all of her own ji-nashi flutes, and is
teaching in England.
There were 2 high points of the weekend for me:
1- I was totally blown-away by the performance of OSHU-SASHI by the Living
National Treasure- AOKI REIBO. For me it was the most outstanding
performance of the Summit.
2- At the beginning of the Concert, a greatly weakened physically YOKOYAMA
KATSUYA came out tearfully on stage. But his heart is as beautiful and as
strong as ever. He conducted TAMUKE , with people playing all over the
Auditorium. The poignancy of the piece was even more realized when you
reflected that Tamuke means "Ellegy" or "Requiem". This, deservedly, got the
most applause of the Concert, and there was not a dry eye in the House.
As far as the next International Shakuhachi Festival is concerned, I had a
very interesting conversation with Riley Lee, and as a result I may have
more to report soon, but for those of you who need a hint, think about big
apples !!
Yoroshiku,
Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin
____________________________________________________
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Feb 03 2003 - 09:09:53 PST