Hankyō

Better known for his playing of the Irish flute and whistle in America, Hanz Araki is in fact also a sixth generation shakuhachi master of the Araki family. Known by his bestowed title of Araki Kodō VI, this wonderful release is actually his first recording in his long career of solo shakuhachi.

The album opens with the traditional piece ‘Akita Sugagaki’ (Ode to Akita, a far-north region of Japan known for sake and cold winters), with Araki's playing beautifully conjuring up images of this distant, somewhat desolate part of Japan. It's a performance of incredible delicacy and grace that leaves the listener enthralled through almost 14 minutes. Equally interesting is ‘Dōkyō’ (Copper Mirror), a modern composition written by Araki Kodō V in 1986. While still unmistakably Japanese in tone, it feels somewhat closer to solo improvised jazz. Recorded on an instrument made by his great-grandfather, and featuring his own arrangements, this is a stunning release of solo shakuhachi. Highly recommended.