The sho is one of the few wind instruments capable of playing chords, and it is tuned so that octaves, perfect fifths, and perfect fourths resonate perfectly. The tuning method known as 'sanfen sunyi fa' (three-part gain and loss method), used in ancient China, is preserved in this instrument. Incidentally, the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, dating back to around 500 BCE, conceived of an identical tuning system by dividing instrument strings according to simple integer ratios: 1:2 (octave), 2:3 (perfect fifth), and 3:4 (perfect fourth).

The title of this piece is said to be a phrase that Pythagoras encouraged his disciples to ask themselves daily. Reflecting on the composition of this piece, I chose this phrase as the title with a sense of self-admonition. The entire piece consists of three parts:

1. 'Do not keep anything with crooked claws.'
2. 'When there is a temple in your path, do not enter. Even if you pass by the door, do not go inside.'
3. 'Abstain from beans.'

These subtitles are phrases from the precepts of the Pythagorean school, compiled by Iamblichus.