Kumoi Jishi, Kinko ryu Shakuhachi Honkyoku

Kumoi Jishi (Cloudlion) belongs to the category of Honkyoku, but it is lighter in feeling than the usual Honkyoku. This piece is said to have been played by the Komuso as a divertissement between serious performance practices. It was transmitted by the Komusotemple Itchoken in Hakata, Kyushu, which was a branch of the famous Myoanji in Kyoto. Kumoi means Cloud and Jishi refers to the mythical Chinese doglion, often depicted as dancing playfully among peony flowers, accompanied by butterflies. T