Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Dreaming of Waking Up
Phil Nyokai James – Shakuhachi
Nyokai-an Records

The six honkyoku send me different messages every time I play this CD. Sometimes inspirational, sometimes daunting, always teaching me something. I hear very little intrusion of self or imposition of will, things proceeding in an inevitable manner, as if a passenger on these journeys.

The original works, First Dream of the Ancient Wanderer, Second Dream of the Ancient Wanderer, and Third Dream of the Ancient Wanderer create very strong resonances for me. Flights of fantasy, intense introspection, wistful wandering, candid questioning and more make their appearances throughout.

Either the six or the three would be good reasons to own this CD, both together make for a double win!