Sorin

Contents of Sorin

• Amitabha
  Amitabha is the Buddha of the Western Paradise; the Buddha of infinite life and light. This piece was composed for an NHK satellite broadcast in 1993.
• Sorin
  Sorin is the name of the nine-ringed spire at the top of a pagoda, which is believed to gather all light and positive spirits. The composer felt a "kindred spirit" with the contemporary artisans who built the new five-story pagoda at Hompuku ji (temple) in Saga prefecture. This piece was composed for its dedication in November 1994.
• Konjiki Shogon
  The Golden Hall of Chusonji is representative of the Golden Culture of the four generations of the Fujiwara family that ruled Hiraizumi 900 years ago. This piece describes the temple's Golden Hall as it was in its full glory (1993).
• Yayoi
  In the traditional Japanese calendar, Yayoi is the name for the month of March. This piece was composed for the Noh Theater at Fukuoka in March, 1994.
• Shumi Heisen
  "Shumi" is an imaginary sacred mountain the Buddhist legends and referred to as "Paradise." Visualizing the dream of Fujiwara, the ruler of Hiraizumi who sought to create a paradise from the haunting ashes of the past, the composer takes the listener musically on a historical journey through Hiraizumi in Iwate prefecture.
• Sawarabi
  Sawarabi (Fern Shoot) describes the freshness and liveliness of the mountains in Spring, as the people begin to gather the fern shoots. This piece was composed in 1988.
• Oshu Anyo
  "Oshu" is the ancient name for the northeastern part of Japan. This piece was composed with the hope that this region of Japan would be blessed with peace and prosperity (1993).
• Torii Emaki
  "Torii" is the entry gate to the shrine; "Emaki" is a pictorial stroll. The four sections are: Heian - an era of elegance and high culture; Ranjo - warfare, disturbing; Matsuri - a celebration, a form of festival; Konjaku - the union of all things. This piece was composed in 1994 for Kyoto's 1200th year celebration. The premier performance was in Kyushu, Japan.