The Shakuhachi

The shakuhachi is a simple looking piece of bamboo with four finger holes on the front and one on the back. The word shakuhachi refers specifically to the length of the instrument, isshaku-hassun (approximately 1’8"), but is also used as a general term for shakuhachi of various lengths. According to an ancient Chinese document, the shakuhachi was developed between A.D. 627-649 during China’s Tang Dynasty. It was this shakuhachi, also called the gagaku shakuhachi, that was introduced to Japan from China during the latter half of the 7th century as one of the instruments used in Japanese court music. However, for unknown reasons the gagaku shakuhachi eventually fell into disuse by this performing ensemble, and it was not until the Middle Ages that similar end-blown flutes such as the hitoyogiri and the early fuke shakuhachi were being utilized. During the Edo period (1603-1868) one could see the formation of a sect of Zen Buddhism known as the Fuke sect. This sect, which mainly consisted of the samurai class, specialized in a form of meditation that utilized the shakuhachi not as a musical instrument, but rather as a spiritual tool on the path towards enlightenment. Today, the shakuhachi can be seen in a variety of musical contexts: e.g., jazz, pop, movie soundtracks, etc. However, the core of the shakuhachi tradition is still the classical meditation pieces known as honkyoku; the pieces originally played by the members of the Fuke sect. It is this spiritual tradition that I would like to transmit to my students.

Shakuhachi Background

• Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawai‘i (2001) with a specialization in the music of Japan (shakuhachi).
• Awarded the Japanese Ministry of Education’s 1999 Monbusho scholarship to conduct research at Osaka University and the Osaka University of Arts under the world-renowned shakuhachi scholar, Tukitani Tuneko, and other members of the Shakuhachi Kenkyuukai.
• Thesis title: From Fuke-shuu to Uduboo: Zen and the transnational flow of the shakuhachi tradition to the West.
• Teachers have included Riley Lee and Robert Herr in Hawaii and Yokoyama Katsuya and Ishikawa Toshimitsu in Japan.
• Participated in classes of the International Shakuhachi Training Center (Okayama, Japan), World Shakuhachi Festival 1998 (participated in master classes given by Yamaguchi Goro, Yokoyama Katsuya, and many other world-renowned players), and the Ishi no kai(the organization of Ishikawa Toshimitsu) shakuhachi weekend retreats, workshops, and benkyou kai.
• October 2000, received Jun Shihan teaching license from Yokoyama Katsuya and Ishikawa Toshimitsu.
• September 2001, shakuhachi playing featured on the soundtrack of the documentary film entitled, Aloha Akebono.

Shakuhachi Instruction

Private shakuhachi instruction is offered in the Kinko style of Yokoyama Katsuya and Ishikawa Toshimitsu, and the Chikuho style of Riley Lee and Robert Herr. For more information concerning shakuhachi instruction, I may be contacted through e-mail.

Shakuhachi Links

Shakuhachi Dealers and Makers

Tai Hei Shakuhachi
Mejiro

Shakuhachi Performers & Teachers

Tai Hei Shakuhachi- Teacher and Organization List
Yokoyama Katsuya's International Shakuhachi Kenshuukan (In Japanese)
Ishikawa Toshimitsu(In Japanese)
Riley Lee

Shakuhachi Research

Shakuhachi Kenkyuukai

Shakuhachi Research News

• The 7th volume ofThe Garland Encyclopedia of World Music-East Asia: China, Japan, and Korea has been released! There are articles written by Simura Satosi (pages 701-706) and Christopher Yohmei Blasdel on the shakuhachi tradition (pages 707-709).

Copyright ©2002 by Steven Casano
Comments to: casanosteven@hotmail.com
Last modified: March 3, 2002