Welcome to the shakuhachi guides section. As a professional shakuhachi teacher and maker I have endeavored to provide the most accurate and succinct information here on this page. If you would like to take live lessons over Skype contact me and I will be happy to arrange a complimentary one for you. I teach the unique regional styles of solo shakuhachi music known as honkyoku which were mostly composed by the komuso monks during the Edo period. I also teach pieces from post Edo period schools and styles such as those created by Watazumi, Jin Nyodo, and Higuchi Taizan.
If you need an affordable 1.8 “D” for lessons contact me and I will be happy to assist you in acquiring one.
I endeavor to provide a growing resource of free shakuhachi guides here on my website. My shakuhachi guides and videos have helped people to make their first sounds and to better understand this instrument and its traditional music. You will find information on a number of essential topics which I have tried to make as clear and non-bias as possible. This is a very esoteric practice, however, it is my wish to make it more inclusive. If there are any topics which you would like to see a guide made for please don’t hesitate to request it of me. I’m always happy to help.
Shakuhachi guides
The fundamentals
- Glossary of frequently used terms
- How to buy shakuhachi
- “Why are shakuhachi expensive?”
- How to play shakuhachi (video)
- Note chart
The instrument
- “What are shakuhachi and what makes them unique?”
- shaku Japanese measurement
- Types of shakuhachi explained – jiari, jinashi, and hocchiku
- Japanese Madake bambo (P. Bambusoides)
- “What determines the sound of a shakuhachi?”
- Caring for shakuhachi
- Cracking, oil, and binding repairs
- Lacquer – Urushi and others
History
Edo period and post Edo period honkyoku styles
In order of how I teach. No link means I don’t teach them yet. Post Edo period schools can be taught at any point as well.)
Regional Edo period styles
- Seien ryu – Hamamatsu and now Nagoya, Fudai-ji (temple)
- Shinpo ryu – Kyoto, original Myoan-ji (temple)
- Kinpu ryu – Tsugaru, Aomori
- Oshu-kei and Echigo Myoan-ji den – Tohoku and Joetsu regions
- Kinko ryu (Itchigetsuji and Reihoji) – Kansai
- Kyushu kei Itchoken and other temples (very fragmented style, may be able to teach someday…)
Post Edo period
- Taizan ha/ryu “Myoan” – Higuchi Taizan (1856-1914), Kyoto.
- Jin Nyodo kei – Jin Nyodo (1891 – 1966), Tokyo.
- Dokyoku/Chikushinkai – Watazumi (1911-1992), Tokyo.
People
- Araki Chikuo (Kodo II)
- Fuke Zenji (historical/fictional)
- Higuchi Taizan (Suzuki Kodo)
- Iwata Seien VI
- Jin Nyodo
- Jon Kypros
- Justin Senryu Williams (Justin’s website)
- Watazumi (Tanaka Masaru)