Dear Shakuhachi List,
Just a reminder for those in the Washington State area:
This Saturday, September 6, 6 pm at the Kannagara Jinja
(http://www.TsubakiShrine.org) a branch of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine (the
oldest Shinto shrine in Japan) I will be presenting a honkyoku Enbu
(Offering). The ENBU (performance) will follow the Tokubetsu Kigan
(special Shinto Purification Prayer for all in attendance) and the
offering of the Sacred Dance. Donations are generously wecome. Tax
deductible donations will go to Tsubaki America Shrine and Vancouver
Shakuahchi Festival Society.
Also....
On Sunday, September 7, 9am to 1pm at the TSUBAKI GRAND SHRINE OF
AMERICA Kaikan (main hall) I will be giving a special group workshop on
the honkyoku Yamagoe (a.k.a Reiho, Bo Saji, Shin Saji).=20
A brief background on Yamagoe:
Shin Saji:
Yamagoe
Yamagoe (also known as Reiho, Bo Saji and Shin Saji) belongs to the
series of pieces referred to as =93saji=94, which are particular to the
Kyuushu region of southern Japan. The three most well-known Saji pieces
from Kyuushu are:
=20
I. Shin (orthodox/ formal/ true/ guarding/ defending/ protecting/
observing/ stick to/ abide by) Saji
--This is popularly known as Yamagoe, also Bo Saji, and Reiho. It is the
most basic, orthodox form of Saji and played as close to the teacher=92s
way as possible. All of one=92s heart and soul must be put into this
piece. Much use of muraiki and deep in and out breaths, and quick and
accurate access to dai-meri pitches.=20
II. Gyo (going out/ breaking out/ transgress/ open/ burst/ semi-cursive)
Saji
--The alternate name for this piece is Yuri Saji. This is played more
deliberately and serious with the mindset of begging for alms.
III. So (free-style/ separation/ detach/ release/ set free/ cursive)
Saji
--The alternate name being Neri Saji or Daibosatsu. This is a very free
form of Saji in the very individual style of the player, after many
years of shakuhachi training. It is quite long and technically
demanding.
These pieces were used by Komuso monks in their spirtual practice.
Reflecting the emotional and spiritual climate of the local area,
honkyoku from Kyuushu tended to be very lively, outgoing, powerful, and
expressive. =93SA=94 means awareness of the emerging bodhisattva
consiousness, and =93JI=94 means, figure or written character. Watazumi
doso=92s root temple was Hakata Iccho ken in Kyuushu, the last Komuso
temple in Kyuushu to remain, where he learned various Saji pieces which
he passed onto Katsuya Yokoyama, (in particular, Reiho, or Yamagoe)
which was in turned passed onto his disciples.=20
Yamagoe means =93going over the mountain=94 which is meant to symbolize t=
he
very difficult and self-sacrificing path of the Zen monk; therefore it
is meant to be played with a great deal of energy and heart. As Yokoyama
sensei said, =93Play as if it was your last day on this earth=94.
NOTE: This workshop is geared for advanced students with the assumption
that a thorough study of other basic honkyoku pieces such as Honshirabe
and Tamuke have been undertaken. But all are welcome to participate.
Before the workshop we will do some junbi taiso (body warm up
excercises) then one hour of long tones in the morning air.=20
Private lessons are also available to those interested. Please contact
me at ramos@telus.net or Duke at icarus927@hotmail.com to reserve a
time.
=20
Tuition: $50.00 per person (private 1 hour lessons as well as the 4 hour
group workshop on Yamagoe.)=20
Sincerely,
Alcvin Ramos
--=20
Shakuhachi Society of BC
#214-130 W. Keith Rd.
N. Vancouver, BC V7M 1L5 Canada
Tel: 604-904-2069
Email: ramos@telus.net
Url: http://www.Bamboo-In.com/al.html
: -)=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RO--__daimeri
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