Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Thanks Riley, very moving.

Thank you Riley for your stories. I'm just home now from Yokoyama-sensei's funeral. We played Sanya and Tamuke all together, and at various times of the day we could hear Yokoyama-sensei's own recordings playing. It was a moving ceremony with so many students, friends and family there. Certainly Yokoyama-sensei lives on in our memories and in all he taught so many people, so generously, both for music and for living life in general.

Dear All,
I attended Yokoyama Senseis funeral yesterday.  It was a very emotional send off.

I estimate more than 200 people were present, apparently many more were at the wake the night before.
Yokoyama Sensei's wife, daughters and grandchildren were there, along with many professional musicians he has taught or worked with over the years, and many of his amateur deshi like myself.

One of his grandchildren played a saxophone solo very nicely, I am sure he would have been very proud.
The assembled deshi played San Ya (山谷) during the ceremony and then Tamuke as the entourage prepared to take his body to the cremation place.
The performances were very moving (I'm sure he would have had some criticisms though!)..

A fellow Deshi and good friend had visited Sensei in late January.  He said that Sensei was in pain and seemed weary of being a burden to his carers, his beloved family.
Yokoyama Sansei died in hospital on the afternoon of Wednesday the 21st April, surrounded by his family and his deshi Matama San, Furuya San and Kakizakai San.
He is free of the pain and his body now.

For myself I prefer to remember my visits to Yokoyama Sensei's lesson place in Nakano Diamond Mansions.
He was a very gifted teacher, he gave me so much encouragement, as well as hard criticism at times.
One time he fell asleep (with loud snoring) during my attempted rendition of Koku to the great amusement of all the senpai deshi present, I finished the piece (of course) and when he awoke there ensued an amusing debate about whether this was a compliment or not; Sensei gracefully insisted it was a compliment!
I remember leaving his lesson place on a real high most of the time, some of the happiest moments in my life (to date... I'm always optimistic!) the highlight of my life and studies in Japan at that time.

It was a great privilege to have had an opportunity to study with Yokoyama Sensei, he leaves behind him a great legacy having influenced so many players around the world.  Also he leaves a deal of resources for us to study, many great recordings, and also his Hon Kyoku study videos.

I have not heard what the plans are for the 'Chiku Shin Kai' his school, or for the International Shakuhachi Kenshukan. If I hear anything before I read it here, I will post again.

There's a full moon on the 28th, I will be pouring a glass of sake on my veranda and playing Tamuke for Sensei on my favourite long flute.

Kind regards to all.
Bill

Thank you, Bill - also for writing on the European list.
It was lovely to read your account of the funeral and your experiences with Yokoyama sensei. As far as I remember you have studied with him for a long time... so it must have been a very moving 'send off' (kokubetsushiki).
Your account help us who couldn't be there to get a sense of the ceremony.
Thank you!