"Journey of Kukai" is a 2023 commission for the 40th annual concert of the Jutoku High School Wind Orchestra (Gunma Prefecture). The commission came from a Buddhist school, and the theme of the work is Kukai (Daishi Kobo), relating to Buddhism.
Kukai (774 - 835), at the age of 31, traveled to China as a student with the Japanese envoy to the Tang dynasty, where he studied Esoteric Buddhism, which was the most advanced form of Buddhism at the time. He mastered the teachings in just two years, a process that was expected to take 20 years. After returning to Japan, he founded the Shingon sect, introducing the teaching that "one can become a Buddha in this very body, in this very world," which became a source of solace for many people and created a new current in Japanese Buddhism.
The piece depicts the journey of a young and ambitious Kukai, who crossed the rough seas to reach China, learned the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism, and returned to Japan.
The composition has rich orchestration, suitable for bands of various sizes, from a 12-person chamber ensemble to 35-50 players in medium to larger ensembles, ensuring a balanced and full sound without overburdening any section or requiring advanced playing techniques. The percussion parts are designed to be performed by a minimum of two players, with Perc. 1 covering timpani and suspended cymbals, and Perc. 2 handling tom-toms and bass drum, each playable by one person simultaneously.
While the piano part is optional, its inclusion enriches the sound texture, especially in lighter sections of the accompaniment. For the flute parts, it is advised that if there are three flute players, they should play 1st flute, 2nd flute, and piccolo, respectively, without switching between piccolo and flute during the piece, ensuring a consistent performance.
(Hayato Hirose)
