A shakuhachi grandmaster returns to the Lawai International Center to offer a unique opportunity: two concerts of shakuhachi, the ancient ceremonial Japanese flute at the Hall of Compassion. The one-hour performances by Riley Lee are scheduled 1 p.m. and 3
A shakuhachi grandmaster returns to the Lawai International Center to offer a unique opportunity: two concerts of shakuhachi, the ancient ceremonial Japanese flute at the Hall of Compassion.
The one-hour performances by Riley Lee are scheduled 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
The event marks the first time in 1,500 years that the public will witness such a performance, according to a press release.
Riley Lee achieved his grandmaster designation 35 years ago. It was anything but easy. To attain this rank, he practiced barefoot in the snow, blew his flute while standing under a waterfall, and played in blizzards until icicles formed at the tip of his flute.
“It is not difficult to do what you enjoy doing,” he said. “The difficulty is making the time to do this enjoyable activity consistently, day after day, decade after decade.”
He remains one of the few such masters outside of Japan and has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and has released more than 60 recordings.
Before traveling to Kauai for Saturday’s performance, Lee fielded a few questions from The Garden Island.
Can you talk about the influence of your music on your life?
My music has influenced every part of my life. Attaining the skill needed to make music through constant practice over decades has helped me develop perseverance, commitment, and patience. Yet I never attain the level of skill, or for that matter, the perseverance, commitment and patience that I know I need to really “play well.” This teaches me humility, though I never seem to remember this lesson. Paradoxically, my attempts at making music are best when I don’t try at all. Sometimes, I can share my music-making with others, who in turn share their experience of the music with me. Together, we spin the wheel of giving and receiving, and this is what makes the universe go round.
Why is it important to you to return to Kauai?
The answer to this is probably self-evident to anyone who knows Kauai. They only need to think about it for a while. Of course, it’s important to see my 93-year old-mother, who still lives on Kauai. But, it is more than that. The Lawai International Center is a physical manifestation of what makes returning to Kauai important to me.
What does this performance significant for you?
In one sense, this performance will be the first of its kind, ever. It could not be more significant to me. On the other hand, every moment of our lives is unique and significant. What makes this event special is that everyone who attends will do so with the intent to experience the uniqueness, the significance. They will come to pay attention, and the music will help them do so.
You are a grandmaster. Can you talk about the discipline it takes to attain such a standing?
Yes, it does take many tens of thousands of hours of concentrated effort and efficient practice to master the shakuhachi (anything). Yet, when people ask me if mastering the shakuhachi is difficult, I answer that for me, it wasn’t. It is not difficult to do what you enjoy doing. The difficulty is making the time to do this enjoyable activity consistently, day after day, decade after decade.
What is your philosophy when it comes to performing before a crowd?
I am always playing for myself. If the music doesn’t move me, it won’t move the audience.
The audience, in one sense, “plays me” as much as I play the shakuhachi. It’s a joint effort, a joint experience.
We are equally responsible for the outcome. I’m always grateful and awed by audiences who “play” me well.
If you could offer a few words to the community on what they will hear or see at your concert, what they will take away, what would you tell them?
People who come to these concerts will hear meditative music, which has been performed and transmitted as spiritual practice by countless generations of shakuhachi players.
Through this music they may hear and see the best in themselves and in others. They will take away, or receive, what they give, multiplied many times over by their act of giving.
There will be a reception an hour before each concert with shakuhachi students and volunteers who have worked on the Hall of Compassion.
Due to a limit of 25 seats per session, reservations are required.
The suggested minimum donation is $125
Info: Dora at dorahong888@gmail.com, or (808) 651-8893
