by Andrew McGregor

IMAYO (14:36)
This origins of this music are rooted in the ancient traditions of Japan and it is today still used in a religious context. This melody is also reminiscent of the Japanese folk song Kuroda Bushi.

GRATITUDE (11:09)
The arrangement of the Zen shakuhachi piece expressing gratitude, is combined with the sustained sounds of didgeridoo, harmonic singing.

BEGINNING (20:29 Two versions of the Zen piece "Shirabe", "Beginning", are combined with a lullaby from Shimabara and cello improvisations to create a scene of deep meditation.

MOUNTAIN PASS (18:11)
Travellers crossing the mountain pass offered a prayer to the god of the pass for their safe journey. The rich sounds of the clarinet, the earth-rhythms of the clapping stones, and the Japanese lullaby (Itsuki no komoriuta) provide a hypnotic backing to this shakuhachi ceremonial music.