Araki Kodo VI: Hankyo (bandcamp)

The background here does sound like an Irish story told in a pub over the fourth Guinness but . . .

Apparently Hanz Araki is an American who is highly regarded as a traditional Irish flute player.

So far so simple.

However as Araki Kodo VI he is a sixth generation master on the shakuhachi (Japanese flute) whose family have been players for centuries. And so the Hanz is an abbreviation of Hanzaburo, the name of his great-great grandfather and on these solo recordings he uses one his g-g-grandfather's handmade instruments passed on to him.

And the pandemic year allowed Araki the time and space to explore the instrument and tradition.

By coincidence 2021 is also the 250^thanniversary of the death of Kurosawa Kinko (1710-1771) who founded the Kinko Ryu tradition.

So there is a lot of information and history here and while Elsewhere is in little position to judge whether these four pieces – three traditional with one composition by his father – cleave to the requirements of the lineage we can assuredly say that like other solo shakuhachi albums we've heard, there is a restful, meditative quality in the quiet and stillness the music and instrument evoke.

Certainly more relaxing that what Hanz might do on Irish flute, we might guess.

Rather lovely. 

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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here