KODEN
& KOTEN HONKYOKU
Chikuzen Shakuhachi Series Sheet Music (In Kinko Ryu Notation)
by Yoshinobu Taniguchi
Kumoijishi
(Lion Dance In The Clouds)
This is an Edo Period (1603-1867)
piece that originated at Itcho-ken, a famous temple in Hakata
City on the southern island of Kyushu. The song is also called
Neagari Jishi, and was popular in Kyushu because of it's beautiful
melody.
The meaning of this piece comes
from the fact that songs with "shishi "("lion")
in the title are generally played quickly and "kumo"
of "kumoi" is the character for "cloud(s)".
This honkyoku is, hence, played almost completely in the upper
(kan) register and with a fast tempo. Kumoijishi is often it is
used as an omedetai kyoku or a song played at joyous celebrations.
It is more up-beat and auspicious than many of the sadder-sounding
honkyoku.
Chikuzen Shakuhachi
Series Sheet Music & CDs