Gagaku Retreat

Saturday August 23

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

We invite you to a special Gagaku Retreat—a day of music, learning, and community with participants from Seattle Betsuin and Berkeley Buddhist Temple.

Gagaku is Japan’s oldest continuing form of orchestral music, with a history going back over 1,400 years.

If you’re curious about Gagaku, want to listen, or are interested in joining the Kinnara Gagaku group at Senshin, this is a great opportunity to begin. No experience needed—just interest and an open heart!

To sign up or learn more, please contact: senshintemple@gmail.com

This retreat is sponsored by the BCA Music Committee

Ojo Raisan Chanting Session

Saturday August 23

5:00 pm

There will be an Ojo Raisan Chanting Session with the Gagaku retreat attendees and chanting specialists.

Ojo Raisan was composed by the Chinese Pure Land Master Shantao in the 7th century and became a widely chanted text during Japan’s Kamakura period (12th–13th century).

Dinner will follow in the Social Hall

This session is sponsored by the Southern District Buddhist Education Committee (BEC)

Gagaku Performance

Sunday August 24

1:00 pm

The program will include well-known pieces such as:

Etenraku
Goshoraku
Bairo

Bairo is especially unique–it was introduced to Japan in the 8th century by the Vietnamese monk Buttetsu and is known as a “victory-inviting” tune. In ancient times, samurai would listen to it seven times before battle. After the seventh repetition, they would wait to hear the mysterious “Shamo no oto” (sound of victory)–and legend says they never lost.

At this performance, our musicians will play Bairo seven times.