Kumoi Jishi, Kinko-ryu Shakuhachi Honkyoku

Kumoi Jishi (Cloud-lion) 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 Komuso-temple Itcho-ken in Hakata, Kyushu, which was a branch of the famous Myoan-ji in Kyoto. “Kumoi“ means Cloud and “Jishi“ refers to the mythical Chinese dog-lion, often depicted as dancing playfully among peony flowers, accompanied by butterflies. T