"Shakuhachi honkyoku and original compositions."

Robert Herr
1995

Track	Titel	Kanji	Länge	Künstler
1	Chôshi (Yamato)	調子 (大和)	05'09	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Many shakuhachi compositions are attributed to one's aspiration in searching - searching of self, truth, an answer to a question. Yamato Choshi (Yamato prelude) represents an introspection of our relationships with the world around us and a renewing of the soul which allows us to venture forth on the pathway of life. Yamato, the name of the ancient capital of Japan, refers to a beginning - the first steps in the search for enlightenment. The Zen tradition of shakuhachi holds that the shakuhachi plays you as much as you play the shakuhachi. This is a renewing of this relationship between the bamboo and the person, This piece serves as a short prelude or warm-up to a larger honkyoku.
2	San'ya (Jinbo)	神保三谷	08'42	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	San'ya (literally, "three valleys") refers to a semi-mythical location in China. The beauty of San'ya's landscape is legendary and its people are said to be enlightened. As shakuhachi music can be interpreted freely by the player, there are many versions of a piece named after San'ya. Valley San'ya, Mountain San'ya, Echigo San'ya, Futaiken San'ya. Jimpo San'ya was a version of San'ya played by a komuso (wandering priest of the Fuke sect of Zen) named Jimpo. It is said Jimpo played only one piece on the shakuhachi throughout his life.
3	Yobi Dake - Uke Dake	呼竹受竹(吹禅)	02'46	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	During the Edo period of Japan (1603-1868), a komuso challenged another wanderer by playing the "call" portion of Yobi Take/Uke Take (Calling and responding bamboo). An authentic komuso would be able to play the correct response, after which the two would play the final passage together.
4	Pathway		05'00	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Pathway is a meandering theme which grows as it moves along (like we all grow by the paths we choose). There are many pathways that cross the journey we call life - roads, choices, dreams and goals - and hopefully many paths that will lead to a fulfilling and enlightened life.
5	Asuka Reibo (Chikuho Ryu)	飛鳥鈴慕	03'48	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Legend states that the first honkyoku was played in the 12th century By a Buddhist priest in China, who, in a trance, fashioned a flute from bamboo and played in such a way as to evoke the memory of his recently deceased teacher, who taught by ringing a handbell. Asuka Reibo (Yearning for the bell-Asuka variant) can therefore mean "yearning for enlightenment."
6	Kiyomizu no Kyoku		07'41	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Kiyomizudera is a temple, snuggled against the hillside in eastern Kyoto, dedicated to the 11-headed kannon, or goddess of mercy. Kiyomizu no Kyoku (Melody of Kiyomizu) was inspired by the beauty of the open-air veranda supported by its massive trestle of large timbers and the summer buzz of cicadas mingling with the sounds of a nearby waterfall.
7	Tehodoki Reiho	手解鈴法	04'21	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	A honkyoku piece that is usually taught to the beginners, Tehodoki Reibo (Introduction to the way of the bell), epitomizes the way of the bell, which seeks enlightenment through suizen (a Zen practice by blowing the shakuhachi).
8	Sokaku Reibo	巣鶴鈴慕	05'56	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	One of a group of strictly programmatic honkyoku depicting the affection between cranes and their offspring, Tsuru no Sugomori (Nesting of the cranes) employs special techniques to imitate the cooing of the birds. Cranes are considered a sacred bird and are believed to show a deep love between the parent bird and its child. This portrays the joy of a young crane learning to fly and also reflects the mother crane's sadness in anticipation of the loneliness her empty nest will bring once her child is gone.
9	Shichihondake		12'03	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Bamboo gives the shakuhachi its voice and heart. The famous bamboo grove in Saiho temple was the inspiration for these seven musical sketches on bamboo entitled Shichihondake (Seven bamboo grove).
10	Hôkyô Kokû	鳳叫虚空	12'14	Shakuhachi: Robert Herr
	Koku (Empty sky) is one of the three most revered pieces in the honkyoku repertoire. Kyorei (Empty bell) and Mukaiji (Flute on the foggy sea) are the other two of the San Kyorei (Sacred three). These three pieces are very special in that they are said to have been divinely inspired through a dream or vision. This version of Koku named Hokyo Koku (Call of the phoenix in the empty sky) has rarely been heard outside of Japan and is considered an auspicious piece.