Oct 10, 2009

02-1_ Myôan Taizan Style Honkyoku: Takiochi

SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)

Takiotoshi, (The Waterfall) is one of the thematic pieces for today’s concert. SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) performs this old version with a ji-nashi (no lacquer in the inner bore) shakuhachi, a simply made instrument without the resilient urushi lacquer coating on the inside bore.


at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

02-2_Myôan Taizan Style Honkyoku: Takiochi

SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)

Takiotoshi, (The Waterfall) is one of the thematic pieces for today’s concert. SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) performs this old version with a ji-nashi (no lacquer in the inner bore) shakuhachi, a simply made instrument without the resilient urushi lacquer coating on the inside bore.


at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

03-1_Kinko Style Honkyoku: Takiotoshi no Kyoku

Christopher Yohmei

This version, from the more refined Kinko style, differs considerably from the previous Myôan version and is played on a modern shakuhachi with the inner bore coated in urushi lacquer. The difference is a brighter, more penetrating sound.


at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

03-2_Kinko Style Honkyoku: Takiotoshi no Kyoku

Christopher Yohmei

This version, from the more refined Kinko style, differs considerably from the previous Myôan version and is played on a modern shakuhachi with the inner bore coated in urushi lacquer. The difference is a brighter, more penetrating sound.



at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

03-3_Kinko Style Honkyoku: Takiotoshi no Kyoku

Christopher Yohmei

This version, from the more refined Kinko style, differs considerably from the previous Myôan version and is played on a modern shakuhachi with the inner bore coated in urushi lacquer. The difference is a brighter, more penetrating sound.


at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

05_Taizôkai

composed and performed by Christopher Yohmei

The Taizôkai is one of two seminal mandalas used in the esoteric (mikkyô) sect of Shingon Buddhism. A central figure (Dainichi Nyorai) is surrounded by 12 radiating sections, each filled with various Buddhist deities. When Yohmei first saw this mandala, as a young man, he experienced the repeated images as tones; each one a reflection of the other and the total mandala as a composition reflecting the self. This piece is performed on a modern ji-nashi shakuhachi.


at "Chihan'an", Izu-Oohito, Shizuoka, Japan on 3/October/2009

Oct 8, 2009

Christopher Yohmei Blasdel comments

Christopher Yohmei Blasdel comments on the concert.

Oct 3, 2009

Today's program



1. Yobitake Uketake       SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) & Christopher Yohmei

Two komusô meet on the street corner, each one has taken a vow of silence. They greet each other through sound.

2. Myôan Taizan Style Honkyoku: Takiochi       SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)

Takiotoshi, (The Waterfall) is one of the thematic pieces for today’s concert. Zenpo Simura performs this old version with a ji-nashi (no lacquer in the inner bore) shakuhachi, a simply made instrument without the resilient urushi lacquer coating on the inside bore.

3. Kinko Style Honkyoku: Takiotoshi no Kyoku Christopher Yohmei

This version, from the more refined Kinko style, differs considerably from the previous Myôan version and is played on a modern shakuhachi with the inner bore coated in urushi lacquer. The difference is a brighter, more penetrating sound.

4. Kinko Style Honkyoku: Shika no Tohne     SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) & Yohmei

Shika no Tohne (The Distant Cry of the Deer) is one of the most famous of all shakuhachi pieces. Composed as a duet, it programmatically depicts two deer, male and female, calling out to each other in the through the Autumn forest.

           *** 15 minute intermission ***

5. Taizôkai  composed and performed by Christopher Yohmei

The Taizôkai is one of two seminal mandalas used in the esoteric (mikkyô) sect of Shingon Buddhism. A central figure (Dainichi Nyorai) is surrounded by 12 radiating sections, each filled with various Buddhist deities. When Yohmei first saw this mandala, as a young man, he experienced the repeated images as tones; each one a reflection of the other and the total mandala as a composition reflecting the self. This piece is performed on a modern ji-nashi shakuhachi.

6. Kokû SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)

This old honkyoku is one of the most sacred in the shakuhachi repertory and is performed on various historical intstruments by SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) .

Oct 2, 2009

Information about the live broadcast


Today we are streaming the live concert from Chihan'an.
For those of you who cannot attend the concert because of the limitations of time or distance, please log onto the site listed below. The visual and sound quality may be a bit diminished, but we hope you enjoy the concert! The concert will be streamed live and then archived for a period of 48 hours. Please have a look and enjoy the music! The concert begins at 4 PM, Japan Standard Time.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/chihan-art-project

Aug 23, 2009

The Third Chihan Art Project

Edo Shakuhachi—Transcending Time & Space

Aug 2, 2009

The Third Chihan Art Project

Edo Shakuhachi—Transcending Time & Space



This concert, taking place in an elegant 201 year old Izu townhouse, will feature Edo period honkyoku, performed on both modern and period instruments. The program also features a contemporary composition in the deep meditative style of traditional honkyoku.

Performers:
SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) (Shakuhachi performer, Professor, Osaka University of Arts)
Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (shakuhachi performer, Artistic Director, The International House of Japan, Inc.)
     
Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 3rd, 2009
Doors open at 3:30 PM, Concert begins at 4 PM.
Place: Chihan’an (an authentic example of traditional townhouse in the Izu Penninsula, built over 200 years ago. Seven minute walk from Oohito Station about 2 hours from Tokyo. Detailed instructions and map will be sent to those who make a reservation).
Admission: Advanced reservations ¥3000, At the door, ¥3300 (students receive a ¥1000 discount from the above prices).
Sponsored by: Chihan Art Project (Nobuko Awaya, Sayuri Toki, Ei’ichiro Iwasa)
Supported by: The City of Izunokuni
Inquiries & Reservations: chihan.project@gmail.com Tel:090-8360-9766
A Reception will follow the concert.
Blog address: Chihan Art Project (English) http://chihanartproject.blogspot.com/
Chihan Art Project (Japanese)http://d.hatena.ne.jp/chihan_project_jpn/


Program:
Yobitake Uketake, SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) & Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Myôan Taizan Style honkyoku: Takiochi, SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)
Kinko Style honkyoku: Takiotoshi no Kyoku Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Kinko Style honkyoku: Shika no Tohne, SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi) & Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Taizôkai, composed and performed by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Kokû, Performed on various historical instruments by SIMURA, Zenpo (Satosi)