Introduction of Chikuho ryu

			■■Chikuho Ryu is a school of shakuhachi that was founded in Osaka by the first head, Sakai Chikuou.Sakai Chikuou studied under Master Fujita Shocho, who was at that time following the technique of Kondo Soetsu. Later, Master Uemura Setsuo, who was the senior of Soetsu Ryu, entrusted Chikuou with “Soetsu Ryu Honkyoku,” “Sugomori Reibo”,
and ten other pieces. This helped Chikuou start teaching numerous followers under the name “Sakai Shodo,” which has now been passed down to the third head of ChikuhoRyu Shakuhachi. In 1918, after becoming independent, Chikuou altered his name to “Chikuho,” and Chikuho Ryu was foundedThe unique musical notation, conceived by the first head Chikuho, is one of the most prominent characteristics of Chikuho ryu, which combines the traditional “Fu-Ho-U-E” style of the Kansai area, and the “Ro-Tsu-Re-Chi” style of the Kanto area. ■■With regard to performance style, Chikuho Ryu’s was derived from Kansai Soetsu Ryu. The unique arrangement of Jiuta Sokyoku demonstrates the Kansai taste of Chikuho Ryu, and is regarded as a special characteristic of Chikuho Ryu that no other school shares. Also, Master Minamoto Unkai, who had interactions with the first head, was invited several times to give lectures on no less than ten Myoan Koten Honkyoku pieces.     Furthermore, Chikuho visited Kyoto occasionally beginning in the year 1931, and Master Katsuura Shozan bestowed upon him the secret piece of the Myo An style, the volume of Sankyorei, and taught him all of the Shinpo Ryu Koten Honkyoku pieces. Those interactional sequences became a foundation for the third head, Sakai Shodo, to achieve a great knowledge of Honkyoku. ■■ In terms of Chikuho Ryu’s music theory, musical grammar, harmony, and composition, there was a significant influence from the trainings and publications of Mr. Tanabe Hisao, the former honored lecturer at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. In 1967, Chikuho, the first head, retired “Soke.” After his first son – who was to be the second head – succeeded his father, taking his position and his name of Chikuho, the former head changed his name to “Chikuou.” (Passed away in 1984)

■■The third and current Soke, Sakai Shodo, and his elder brother, the late Sakai Chikuho, were both active in the Japanese contemporary music scene. Although his dignified tone and a strong presence is regarded as the opposite of his elder brother Chikuho’s sophisticated tone, Shodo also performed “Taiwa Godai” by Mr. MoroiMakoto and other pieces brilliantly in the early stages of the contemporary music boom.
■■In terms of classical Shakuhachi Honkyoku, Shodo was taught not only by the first head, but also by many other masters. Now that he has carved out his own artistic niche, the name “Chikuho Ryu” has come to be associated with Honkyoku by many listeners.
Since his clement personality and profound way of Shakuhachi performance is regarded so highly, Shodo serves as the following: *Permanent director general of the headquarter of Kyochiku Zenshi Hosankai, *vice director of NPO Corporetion Japan Syakuhati Association,  Shodo has been contributing to the development of Ryu-ha “the school of Shakuhachi”, teaching students in the school, and ultimately, the Shakuhachi-Do (the Way of Shakuhachi performance).

■■Sakai Chikudo, the fourth head-to-be, and Shodo’s own son was taught by his grandfather, the first head, Chikuou、 It was Chikuou who gave Chikudo his first certificate. Later, he not only studied under Shodo, his father, but also studied under Myoan temple’s 41the Kansu (head), Master Kojima Hoan. ■■Chikudo has mastered all Honkyoku pieces of Myoan Taizan Ha, and he was given the name “Chikushin” by the head of the Myoan Temple. Recently, Chikudo has been studying under the Master of Shinpo Ryu, Master Sagara Yasuyuki. Both masters lead him to the Way of classical Shakuhachi Honkyoku.

■■The fifth head-to-be, Shodo’s grandson Ryukai, is now receiving training from the current Soke. ■■The name “Chikuho Ryu”, and the Symbol of Chikuho Ryu (the Chinese character for “bamboo,” 竹, with the Chinese character for “preserve,” 保) are registered trademarks, which demonstrate the spirit of “Chikuho Ryu Soke’s absolute one presence.” The attitude of Chikuho Ryu has come to be regarded to have a very precious existence in the modern society.

Chikuho Ryu’s Fu-Ho-U-E musical notation

■■Mr. Yasuyuki Sagara is one of very few Hitoyogiri researchers in Japan, and it is he who will pass down Shinpo Ryu, the school which focuses on the succession of Honkyoku through the temple formerly known as Myoan-ji.

What is Shinpo Ryu?

■■Shinpo Ryu is completely different from the authentic classical Honkyoku. Especially in terms of the spiritual aspect, it differs greatly. Layers of history and great diversity – from popular song to spiritual pieces can be felt.

■■It was Katsuura Shozan who acknowledged this music style as “ryu.” However, its original piece is said to have been passed down from Watanabe Kakuzan and Ozaki Shinryu at the temple formerly known as Myoan-ji. Therefore, it came to be known as “Shinpo.” In terms of naming the notes of the musical scale, instead of using the Ro-Tsu-Re-Chi style, Shinpo Ryu introduced the use of the Fu-Ho-U-E style, which had commonly been used in Kamigata (Kansai area). Currently, Chikuho Ryu and Shinpo Ryu are probably the only two schools of Shakuhachi to use this style of naming the musical scale. While the Ro-Tsu-Re-Chi style started in the 1800s, the origin of the Fu-Ho-U-E style can be traced back to the Southern Sung period, which lasted from 1141 to 1285. Furthermore, the name for each note has a specific meaning. Take Fu, for example. The origin of Fu is the Chinese character ”凡”, which refers to all things in existence in the universe. The name, Ho comes from the Chinese character “合”, U is from “五”, E is from “也”, Ya is from “乙”, and I is from “一”. The way to read each Chinese character is being used as the name of the note. Those Chinese characters were derived from the music theory of the Southern Sung period, and this later became the way to read each Chinese character in Japanese.

■■At present, he is head of the chikuho ryu syakuhachi(the 3rd in history ),
director general of Myoan Temple Kyotiku Zensi Hosankai,
vice director of NPO Corporetion Japan Syakuhati Association,
director of Osaka Sankyoku Association,
director/adovisor of Komusou(a mendicant priest)kenkyu kai(research association headquarter)
and director/adovisor of Yao City Sankyoku Associstion.


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CD information

Sakai Shodo’s “Tsuru No Sugomori” Gotai (Five versions of “Nesting of Cranes”)

Released internationally by Kojima Recordings, Inc., on October 17^th, 2006.

Grand prize winner of the Art Festival of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

■■This CD demonstrates Sakai Shodo’s exceptional performance technique. The widely-known Shakuhachi piece “Tsuru No Sugomori” (Nesting of Cranes) is being performed in various styles which have been passed down in the different regions of Japan.
in addition, instead of using the modern instrument, Shodo uses the “Jinashi Shakuhachi” (Natural Bore Shakuhachi), which utilizes the natural characteristics of bamboo and makes it possible to perform the highly technical piece.
(The Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Contact detail

Chikuho ryu shakuhachi headquarter
mail info@chikuhoryu.jp

Tel/Fax ０７２-９９１-９００８

 The name “Chikuho ryu” and its symbol are registered as trademarks; therefore, unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.