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. If you would like to talk more contact me for a free live lesson over video-chat. This can be a very esoteric practice, however, it is my wish to make it more inclusive.
If you need an affordable 1.8 “D” for lessons contact me and I will be happy to assist you in acquiring one.
Shakuhachi guides
The fundamentals
The instrument
- NEW! – All about pitch on the shakuhachi or “being in tune”
- NEW! “What determines the sound and feeling of a shakuhachi”?
- “What are shakuhachi and what makes them unique?”
- How to play shakuhachi (video)
- Note charts
- shaku Japanese measurement
- Types of shakuhachi explained – jiari, jinashi, and hocchiku
- Japanese Madake bambo (P. Bambusoides)
- 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)
- Kyu Myoan (Kichiku and Shinpo Ryu) – Kyoto, original Myoan-ji (temple)
- Kinpu Ryu – Tsugaru, Aomori
- Oshu-kei and Echigo Myoan-ji den – Tohoku and Joetsu regions
- Kinko Ryu (Itchigetsu-ji and Reiho-ji) – Kansai
- Kyushu-kei Itcho-ken 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)