Myōan-dōshō go-eisan--hymn to the Myoan Shakuhachi

The tanka-poem by Tanikita Muchiku has been made into a Buddhist song that can sometimes be heard accompanied by shakuhachi at Myoan-ji.

Yo no naka no 

Uki-fushi nukeshi

Fue-take no

Koe ni hohoemu

Waga kokoro kana.

something close to a literal translation:

The world's sorrows have been taken away.

To my flute-bamboo's voice 
smiles my heart.

It contains a word-play: Uki-fushi means the sorrows of the world, but fushi also can be the fushi (nodes) within bamboo. Taking the fushi or nodes out of the bamboo that the air goes through is compared to taking away the sorrows of the world. 

The actual performance of the song Is similar to the melody, the speed and rhythm of this Soto school song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSIXlcLB87M

Thanks to Professor Oliver Aumann for the translation and commentary.

Two Komuso at Muroji Temple

Muroji--When Two Komuso Meet

On the road to Muroji, one of the most scenic mountain temples in Japan

J.R. Mutake plays at the moon bridge entrance to the Muroji grounds

Crossing over into Muroji.

Playing at the first gate.

Playing on the path to the main gate.

The ticket office.  Note the container of free hiking sticks at the corner. 

The main gate of Muroji.

J.R. Mutake introduces himself to Masutani Showza, resident komuso of Muroji.

The honkyoku played. please click through to youtube video.

Looking back at the gate.

Climbing the first set of stairs.  J.R. Mutake will climb the mountain with a tengai in one hand and a shakuhachi in the other, as part of his Shugyo training.

Looking back on the first flight of stairs.

Another flight of stairs.

Which leads to another flight of stairs down...

Looking back up.

Side trip to a Jizo Shrine.

Jizo

And then the long flight to the peak.

The support beams of the moutain top temple in sight.

The view from the balcony.

Panorama of the temple support and final climb.

Back down sure-footed like a mountain goat and out the gate.

Overview of the climb.

Leaving Muroji at the bus stop, visitors asked the Komuso to play.

Please visit komuso Masutani Shoza at beautiful Muroji.

The Komuso play beautifully, please contribute for the temple.

1935 Nara Park Komuso

The Deer in the Park

And then there were three...

Autumn Leaves

Light and Dark Again

The Long March

A Tradition Renews

Assembling in the centre of the temple the participants have their minds cleansed by listening to the Dharma-bamboo of their leader. It was originally a sub-school of the Zen-tradition. That is the cause for (talking about/teaching) giving oneself over to one single bamboo and striving for the realm of ri-ji-mu-ge (Ultimate truth and the phenomenal world are interpenetrating each other without any disturbance.)