Tôsha Suihô: 四季の笛 (Die Vier Jahreszeiten In Kyoto) (1983)

夏 – SUMMER

6. Myōshinji Gyokuhōin. (The Temple Gyokuhōin In Myōshinji)

At the beginning of the 14th century, Emperor Hanazono, a devout Buddhist, had the priest Kanzan Egen establish a temple. This temple was called Myōshinji. The Myōshinji is the main temple of a branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism and has over three thousand branch temples throughout Japan. In the past, both the Imperial Family and numerous powerful samurai families were among its parishioners. Within the huge temple district, there are 47 smaller temples, some of which are known for their gardens or paintings, but most are not open to the public. The Gyokuhōin is one of those usually not accessible temples, but I received a special permit and went to the temple on a summer evening.

The Gyokuhōin has a special story. The Emperor Hanazono owned his country castle here and, when he was instructed by the priest Kanzan in the Zen teaching, had this temple built.

One summer evening, I waited in the main room of the temple until the noise died down in the city of Kyoto. The temple has no electric light and it’s getting darker around me. I forgot the time and felt as if I was dominated by some mysterious atmosphere.

I put a blind lantern in the garden, focused my attention on it and played a requiem attention to it and played a requiem for Emperor Hanazono. As I played this piece, I felt as if the Emperor’s soul let me flute. That was a wonderful experience. – [3] Summer, Site 1 (a), June 1982, Shinobue-flute / Nokan-flute

7. Hieizan Myōōdō (The Temple Myōōdō On the Mountain Hieizan)

Mount Hieizan is 848 meters high. He is loved and worshiped by the inhabitants of Kyoto, because the temple Enryakuji stands on this mountain and you can see it from every part of Kyoto.

The temple Enryakuji is the main temple of the Tendai sect and was founded by the priest Dengyō-daishi at the beginning of the 9th century as a northeastern protective temple for Kyoto. The temple complex on the Hieizan still today consists of almost two hundred buildings and continues to maintain its religious function.

Myōōdō, where we took this picture, is located in Mujōji-dani valley. This area has always been a center of the “Pilgrim’s Summit” of a religious exercise that moves from peak to peak. Many famous priests have followed their religious rites here.

Early in the morning at four o’clock, a strong wind from the eve of the typhoon had blown away the dark clouds, and the full moon was shining brightly in the western sky. As I climbed the stairs of Myōōdo, I saw deep down Lake Biwa, whose shores lined with sparkling lights. Soon after, the eastern sky turned pale red and morning rose. As I sat down in Myōōdō and had this great view in mind, I was overwhelmed by the glory of nature. The more the temple bell sounded, the further away my thoughts wandered into the infinite space. – [3] Summer, Site 1 (b), August / September 1982, Shinobue-flute

8. Kaiho. (Summit Pilgrim Way)

The priest Dengyō-daishi, the founder of the temple Enryakuji, had numerous famous students. Later, too, many outstanding priests, such as the great religious leaders of the Kamakura period, such as Eisai, Dōgen, Hōnen, Shinran and Nichiren, learned at Hieizan. In the Mujōji dani valley, the priests went about their religious exercises. There is a sacred peace above this place.

The temple Myōōdō is the center of the summit pilgrimage exercise (Kaihōgyō). Founded 1130 years ago by imperial request, this temple is considered one of the five great ancient temples in the Enryakuji Complex.

The Pilgrim Summit is a religious exercise in which, with this temple as a base, a total of a thousand times a 30 km long way over the summits of the environment is covered, whereby out of the total of 1000 days for nine days undergone particularly severe mortifications by completely refrained from eating, drinking, sleeping and lying down.

The pilgrims, all dressed in white, with a staff in their right hand and a rosary in the left over the mountain trails, make us feel the hardness of religious practice and the silence of not thinking. – [4] Summer, Site 2 (a), August / September 1982, Nokan-flute

9. Asagiri. (The Morning Mist)

The temple Gyokuōin is east of Myōōdoō on the way Mujōjidō. Today there are no more priests in the garden, the insects are still chirping in the garden. It was just before dawn the night after the passage of a typhoon. The trees stood silently in the darkness of the nacth. As it grew brighter, the surroundings took shape piece by piece. The white mist rose quietly out of the valley and filled the area. The landscape that was about to show itself disappeared again. Maybe this fog has been conjured by someone? As I indulged in such fantasies, the fog became weaker again and finally disappeared completely.

With the clear morning air, my worldly thoughts evaporate and I feel reborn.

The birds began to sing in the trees. This mood of mind at dawn I tried to express through the flute. – [4] Summer, Site 2 (b), August / September 1982, Shinobue-flute

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