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Hoshosu

鳳将雛

[Genre]Honkyoku
[School]Kinko Ryû - 琴古流

History (John Singer):

It has been said that this piece was composed by Kinko Kurosawa, however, in 1979, at the home of the late Kinko Grand Master Sato Seibi, I was able to view a handwritten score of "Hoshosu" which was said to have been written by the priest who taught this piece to Kinko Kurosawa.

"Hoshosu" means "Phoenix" or "Eternal Bird". However, when phoenix is referred to as "Hosho" it specifically refers to the phrase, "praise of the mythical bird".

There is also the word "Hosu" with the character for "Sho" left out which means the baby chicks of the phoenix. It is suggestive that one will have success and accomplishments later in life. The title of this piece makes one think of the ambition and drive of Kinko Kurosawa.

Hoshosu appears on the following albums

Album Artist
Play ButtonComplete Collection of Honkyoku from the Kinko School - Vol 1 - Disc 4 Shakuhachi : Aoki Reibo II
Play ButtonGrand Masters of the Shakuhachi Flute Shakuhachi : Yamaguchi Gorō
Shakuhachi : Matsumura Hōmei
This piece was added to Honkyoku repertoire in 1772. The title name means young ho-o (phoenix). A special technique, korone, as can be heard in the beginning part is said to imitate the crying of the bird.

Ho is male and o female. And a young male phoenix, ho-su, usually represents a young, prominent person.

Ho-o is believed to be more felicitous than cranes and to appear only when a saint is in throne. Among the Honkyoku pieces it is regarded high in ranking and used to be ceremonial music.
Play ButtonShakuhachi no Shinzui-Shakuhachi Honkyoku - 11 Shakuhachi : Yamaguchi Gorō

Traditional Music For Two Shakuhachi Shakuhachi : Juerg Fuyuzui Zurmuehle

Yamaguchi Gorō - Kinko-ryū Shakuhachi Honkyoku Zenshū 10 Shakuhachi : Yamaguchi Gorō
Shakuhachi : Sakata Kōmei
Play ButtonZen Music - VI Shakuhachi : Yamaguchi Gorō
Shakuhachi : Matsumura Hōmei
This piece was added to the Honkyoku repertoire in 1772 (Meiwa 9). The title name means young ho-o (phoenix). A special technique, korone, as can be heard in the beginning part is said to imitate the crying of the bird.

Ho is male and o female. And a young male phoenix, ho-su, usually represents a young, prominent person just as kirin-ji.

Ho-o is believed to be more felicitous than cranes and to appear only when a saint is in throne. Among the Honkyoku pieces it is regarded high in ranking and used to be ceremonial music.