Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

I couldn't help noticing that Chikuzen has lost part of his beard. Most unfortunate thing, even though the new look is pretty nice as well. I do have to wonder how japanese people respond to having no hair and a long beard. A while ago I bought a nice book on living in Japan. One of the things mentioned there was that having a beard and not having hair is generally not recommended, especially with job interviews and such. It kind of makes sense since growing a beard at young age doesn't seem to be that common among the japanese men and thus you would stand out pretty easily.

Sorry to derail the original topic but I'm quite interested in any experiences Chikuzen or others may have on this. Some of you may have seen pictures of me. For those who haven't, I look a bit like he does except that I believe I'm a little bit shorter and have a more round head.

I was fortunate to hear a little of the CD, and it is very fine indeed.  Gishin and Michael work very well together, and the fusion of voice and flute is done in a very elegant manner.  I will be getting this one for sure.

Chris, thanks for the post. There will be a nice blurb with some pics from the booklet and sample of the cuts posted later today. I actually realized when I wrote the part about "First since...etc." that I was going out on a limb with my limited knowledge of what is out there. However, I figured it would be a good way to find out quickly. I have received info about another cd specifically with shakuhachi and shomyo on the same tract. There are-I have been told-a few out there but you have to look on the japanese websites and read japanese or chinese. I or Gishin will get a list and let you all know about them as soon as we sell all of ours! ha ha. Here's the info I got from Michael Firman about the other CD:

It was recorded 1996
It's called "Shomyo: Buddhist Liturgical Chant" it's on the Megadisc label
MDC7857.
The shakuhachi player is Tosaku Nakata (of the Ueda-ryu).
The temple is the Shi-Tennoji (there seems to be a branch in the UK and
Belgium where some of it was recorded - as well as in Japan).

I was also glad to hear of the cd Ronnie produced.I didn't know about that so I'll have get one of those for my "shomyo fix" of the week.

The other Cd is of course the Yamamoto Hozan CD.

  I would mention here that Gishin and I decided to do a question-&-answer type of dialogue on the Cd instead of playing together in order to hear each other better. Next time we plan on doing in sync. Tracks #1,#3 & #5 have shomyo and will give you a chance to hear Gishin's shomyo voice, which is wonderful. Track #2 is a wasan chant. It's more of a folk type chanting very different from shomyo. Track #5 is Komuso Nagashi, a melodic tune which I played on one of Ken's (now mine) Taimu flutes. Followed by the Heart Sutra. It was a spur of the moment decision to do so but I wanted to show the difference from note to note of the log more than just it's power which I didn't showcase at all.

I also have heard of a workshop where at one of the WSF where Jim Franklin chanted the Heart Sutra backed up by Yokoyama sensei. I heard there were a limited no. of these for sell at the festival. If you read this Jim could you enlighten us about the possibility of purchase.

Last edited by chikuzen (2008-02-07 11:42:49)

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Wow.


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[Thanks, Mujitsu]

This is the first chant / shakuhachi i have had the pleasure to hear! This is wonderful stuff!!  A must have!

Thank you to Chikuzen, Gishin and Mijitsu for putting these samples up.

Ken

chikuzen wrote:

I actually realized when I wrote the part about "First since...etc." that I was going out on a limb ...

A little hyperbole on a blog or Internet forum? And, of course, never do we engage in such practices in print journalism!

I'll have to light a candle to St. Maximilian Kolbe to ask for forgiveness for all concerned (Of course he is also patron saint to drug addicts and prisoners as well as journalists). I'll wear my hair-shirt tonight when I go to sleep on my bed of stones.

Going out on a limb, taking risks, is a great way to generate feedback. You just have to have a tough hide, that's all.  What we learned with "Shomyo: Buddhist Liturgical Chant" on the Megadisc label MDC7857 is very valuable. Trying to actually find a copy may be difficult and expensive though. Thanks to you and Gishin we have your recordings available and affordable.

chikuzen wrote:

I was also glad to hear of the cd Ronnie produced.

Yes I bought this several years ago and it is a wonderful album and booklet. Thich Naht Hahn is recorded on the album in addition to the other great masters. Very much worth having.

chikuzen wrote:

The other Cd is of course the Yamamoto Hozan CD.

Once again, finding a copy of this can be difficult and expensive.

chikuzen wrote:

I would mention here that Gishin and I decided to do a question-&-answer type of dialogue on the Cd instead of playing together in order to hear each other better. Next time we plan on doing in sync.

I really like the simplicity of the call-and-response form that you fellows use here. It's an ancient form. Simple and poignant. Has that ever been done before on the same track? Nice sound samples. Incredibly beautiful shakuhachi playing (kind of like saying 'Nice painting, dude' to Van Gogh) and really fine chanting. Nice vocal chords, Gishin.

I better get off my duff and order one before you sell out the first printing. Email to follow.

Last edited by Chris Moran (2008-02-07 18:44:49)

I just listened to Monshogodo for the first time two days ago, and it is even more wonderful than I expected it to be. Michael's playing is simple, relaxed and assured, and his solos are absolutely beautiful. The chanting is excellent too, and the combination really works! Congratulations, Gishin.

I've felt for a long time that too many shakuhachi CDs get put out, that many of them are just another player playing the same pieces -- they're almost like business cards. Michael waits until he has a great idea. I really respect that.

Everybody here should get this CD!

amokrun wrote:

It kind of makes sense since growing a beard at young age doesn't seem to be that common among the japanese men and thus you would stand out pretty easily.

In fact, being bearded (somewhat) among young men seems more to be the norm now in Japan.  That trend has liberated many older fellows to let their chickens run free as well.  Long, flowing beards though are pretty much only sported by older fellows.

dstone wrote:

Received the CD.  I've had just one listen straight through, with good headphones.  Absolutely fantastic, guys!  Sublime.  The space you recorded in seems really well chosen, also!  You both sound very natural and unforced.  I'm sure this wasn't actually "easy" but I can picture you having a good time doing this. 

I mean this as a complement... I get the impression of "sharing" more than "performing" listening to Michael's shakuhachi playing, if that makes sense.  I love all playing but not everything sounds like "sharing" to me, so this is great.

Also really good to hear the distinctive Taimu flute in there.

Thank you all.

-Darren.

Very glad to hear you liked th CD Darren hope all is well on your side of Canada. Ok so back to working on the Dojo and then off to another graveyard shift. I feel as if when the Dojo will be finished I will be finished as well.

Gishin wrote:

I feel as if when the Dojo will be finished I will be finished as well.

Very Twilight Zone of you.

There was a famous Hollywood guy, whose name I've long forgotten, that kept on building rooms to his house because he said that if he ever finished it, he would die.

May you never be finished with your dojo, Gishin.

When I buy it, where it comes from?