Welcome to the shakuhachi guides section. As a professional shakuhachi teacher and craftsperson I have been asked countless questions over the years. Here I’ve endeavored to provide the best information that I can on some of the most popular topics. This can be a very esoteric practice, however, it is my wish to make it more inclusive.
Contact me at flutedojo@gmail.com for a free one-on-one shakuhachi lesson over video chat
If you need an instrument please consider my Bell shakuhachi
Shakuhachi guides
Fundamentals
- Glossary of frequently used terms
- How to buy shakuhachi
- Note charts Updated 11/29/2018
- “What are shakuhachi and what makes them unique?”
- How to play shakuhachi (video)
The instrument
- All about pitch on the shakuhachi or “being in tune”
- “What determines the sound and feeling of a shakuhachi”?
- “Why are shakuhachi expensive?”
- shaku Japanese measurement
- Types of shakuhachi explained – jiari, jinashi, and hocchiku
- Japanese Madake bambo (P. Bambusoides)
- Caring for shakuhachi with video on how to tie a cleaning-cloth knot or “tsuyutoshi”
- Cracking, oil, and binding repairs
- Lacquer – Urushi and others
History
Edo period and post Edo period honkyoku styles that I teach
- Seien Ryu – Hamamatsu and now Nagoya, Fudaiji
- Kyu Myoan – Kyoto, Kyu Myoanji
- Kinpu Ryu – Tsugaru, Aomori
- Oshu-kei and Echigo Myoanji den – Tohoku and Joetsu regions
Post Edo period
- Taizan-ha/Ryu AKA Myoan – Higuchi Taizan (1856-1914), Kyoto
- Jin Nyodo (1891 – 1966), Tokyo
- Dokyoku/Chikushinkai – Watazumi (1911-1992), Tokyo
People mentioned on this website
- Araki Chikuo (Kodo II)
- Fuke Zenji (historical/fictional)
- Higuchi Taizan (Suzuki Kodo)
- Iwata Seien VI
- Jin Nyodo
- Justin Senryu Williams
- Watazumi (Tanaka Masaru)