Nika-Hôyô tsuki Cyûkyoku Risyu-zan'mai

(Music for the Ritual in Memory of the Priest Kûkai, the founder of the Shingon Sect)

JVC Anthology of Japanese Classical Performing Arts, Vol. 4, No. 1

Videotaped on 4 March 1990 in Tokyo (29'10'')

Terms

Nika-Hôyô: A ritual that consists of two elements: Bai (singing) + Sange (scattering of flowers)

tsuki (with)

Cyûkyoku (a type of scale used for this ritual)

Risyu-zan'mai (a "reading" of Risyu Sutra, the sutra which most concisely tells the learning of the Shingon Sect)

Zan'mai < San-mai , samâdhi (a Sanskrit term, similar to dhyâna; it signifies the concentration of mind to one thing or stable mind)

Name

Kûkai (b. 774; d. 21 March 835)

Contents

I. Gatherings, Upper Room (Shu'e and Jyôdô) (Sections from A to E are omitted in the video)

A. The Bell of the Gatherings
B. The Bell of the Upper Room
C. Gratitude (San-rai)
D. The Entrance of the "Leading" Monk and Others (Dôshi Tôraihan and Shikisyu Chakuza)
The "leading monk" (dôshi) goes to the "Gratitude Place" and other monks sit on their cushions
E. Mudra and Mantra
G. Purification by the Holy Water
II. Tengu: Shichi no Bongo (Invocation: Dedication Piece in Sanskrit)
--It describes the meaning of the ritual to those who attend to it.
--In this video, the priest reports that they present a small offering to Kûkai (the founder of Shingon Sect) and praise him.
--Scale types used in this piece: Ichikotsu-chô (Ryô), Banshiki-chô (Ritsu), Ryô, Ritsu, Ryô
III. Saimon (See Malm 72) (Recitation in Japanese)

IV. Bai (See Malm 69): Unga-bai (Sanskrit)

--Scale type: mostly on the Ryo scale
V. Sange: Dai-nichi Sange
--A memorial service by scattering beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers
--Scale type: mostly on Ryô
VI. Taiyô (Catechism, question-and-answer)
--Scale Type: Ritsu
VII. Hyôhaku: Mieku Hyôbyaku (Describing the meaning of the rituals to the soul of Kûkai)
--Originally written in Chinese, but read in Japanese
--Scale type (mode): Cyûkyoku-Ôshiki-chô
--Uses three notes (Shô, Kaku, and Chi)
VIII. Jinbun
--Prayer for Japanese and Indian Gods that come to the temple
--Scale type (mode): Cyûkyoku-Ôshiki-chô
--Uses three notes (Shô, Kaku, and Chi); the Kaku is the core note.
IX. Butsumyô (Not in the video)
--Recitation of the names of the gods and sects' founders.
--An oath to Buddha
X. Kyôge
--The leading monk praises the virtue of the sutra and ceremony
--In Japanese
--Scale type (mode): Cyûkyoku-Ôshiki-chô
XI. Zen Shôrei: Gokai (some parts are not included in the video)
--Shôrei is a piece for penitence
XII. Zen-san (Prelude to the main ceremony, not in the video)

XIII. Risyu Kyô: Chûkyoku (Risyu Sutra: Main Piece)

A. Kanjyô (Later addition to the original, done in Japan; originally in Chinese, but in
Japanese pronunciation)
B. Kyôdai (Chinese, but Japanese pronunciation)
C. Hongô (Chinese, but Japanese pronunciation)
D. Yakugô (Chinese, but Japanese pronunciation)
E. Jimon (The main text; Chinese, but Japanese pronunciation)
F. Kantange (Not in the video)
G. Kassatsu (Later addition in Japan; Chinese, but Japanese pronunciation; not in the
video)
H. Ekô (Later addition to the original, done in Japan; originally in Chinese, but in
Japanese pronunciation; not in the video)
XIV. Go-san: Fudô-san (Postlude, originally in Sanskrit)

XV. Go-shôrei (some parts are not included in the video)

XVI. Ekô (Shishin-ekô)

--"Spreading" of the virtue of the ritual

XVII. Taidô (Exeunt of the Monks, not in the video)

An unofficial viewing guide created by TANIGUCHI Akihiro at The Florida State University, 1999

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