ARTS: Shakuhachi

[Rousei]

My old Japanese culture teacher from a Japanese University I was at during a year exchange recently contacted me to talk about his new flute (His wife and he often butt heads because of how many he buys), as he knows I myself enjoy playing Bansuri (North Indian bamboo flute). He asked if I was interested offering some links of where to buy one from as well as advice on how to start. This was before I saw this post, the universe making its intent heard perhaps?

Gassho
Mark
ST

[Ryumon]

My old Japanese culture teacher from a Japanese University I was at during a year exchange recently contacted me to talk about his new flute (His wife and he often butt heads because of how many he buys), as he knows I myself enjoy playing Bansuri (North Indian bamboo flute). He asked if I was interested offering some links of where to buy one from as well as advice on how to start. This was before I saw this post, the universe making its intent heard perhaps?

Given that you are in Japan, you have no shortage of opportunities to buy a shakuhachi. In other countries, it is very different.

Gassho,

Ryūmon

sat

[Ryumon]

Interesting discussion in the tea house this morning about the shakuhachi. If anyone has questions, or is interested in learning more about the instrument, feel free to ask here. Kotei and I will be happy to tell you more about this wonderful instrument.

Gassho,

Ryūmon

sat

[Tomás ESP]

And here is a video of Kodama playing a long shakuhachi, under the performing name of Chiku Za.

Gassho,

Ryumon

Sat

What a meditative sound, lovely playing. I tried to also focus on the movement of the lips and realized that just from the looks of it, it seems to have incredibly nuanced lip variations, as you mentioned in our chat. Are the two Facebook groups that you shared in the TeaHouse (Shakuhachi BBQ and the European Shakuhachi Society) good places to learn more about the instrument and music? Or are there other websites for that? Or even books that are interesting about it?

Thank you Kotei and Ryumon, even though there are many things that I didn't understand while you were sharing, I still found it to be fascinating!

Gassho, Tomás
Sat

[Anchi]

Hi there,

Yes, there was a lovely discussion in the tea house this morning.

Thank you Ryumon and everybody.

Gasshô

[Jundo]

Chiku za ... oh my

[Ryumon]

What a meditative sound, lovely playing. I tried to also focus on the movement of the lips and realized that just from the looks of it, it seems to have incredibly nuanced lip variations, as you mentioned in our chat. Are the two Facebook groups that you shared in the TeaHouse (Shakuhachi BBQ and the European Shakuhachi Society) good places to learn more about the instrument and music? Or are there other websites for that? Or even books that are interesting about it?

Well, they are Facebook groups, so it's hard to actually "learn" things, but you'll see discussions, videos, etc.

As for books, Blowing Zen is a first-person story about someone who went to Japan and learned the instrument. It is an inspiring story:

https://amzn.to/2XEcIMH

The same author has another book, Blowing Zen: One Breath, One Mind, which is about playing the shakuhachi. It would introduce you to some basic ideas, but you really can't learn without a teacher. Plus, his scores are, to me, not helpful, because he plays in a school that notates very carefully.

https://amzn.to/3pwwUM5

You might also want to check out this website, which I set up to record some thoughts about learning the instrument, and haven't updated in a while.

https://honkyoku.com

Gassho,

Ryūmon

sat

[Tomás ESP]

Very nice, thank you for all of this information

By the way, just for future reference, is this the "cheap" Shakuhachi you and Kotei were talking about at the Tea House?

http://bellshakuhachi.com/shakuhachi-for-sale/bell-shakuhachi/

I saw that the current waiting list is at 4 months, which isn't that bad, all things considered!

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Ryumon]

Yes, that’s it. Though bear in mind after you’ve paid shipping and import duties, you’re only a few hundred euros shy of a real bamboo flute. When that flute was first released, at $150, it was a really good bargain, but now, if you’re outside of the US, it becomes a lot more expensive.

Ryumon

[Tomás ESP]

Yeah, that makes sense. When the time comes, I think I will try and contact José Vargas as you suggested, thanks!

Gassho, Tomás
Sat

[Getchi]

As a guitarist drummer and bassist, can I learn this fairly easily?

[Ryumon]

As a guitarist drummer and bassist, can I learn this fairly easily?

Maybe yes, maybe no. I’ve heard it said that it’s the most difficult musical instrument to learn. I think it all depends on your expectations; it’s taken me a long time to get where I am, which isn’t very far in the grander scheme of things. But for me it’s all about the journey.

Gassho,
Ryūmon
Sat