I’ve been a little distracted by a DIY project this week. As the kids grow, we find ourselves trying to manage all their stuff. So, I’ve playing hooky from shakuhachi work and learning on the job about Japanese inspired design and carpentry. I’ve found that the Japanese saws and files I used for cutting and shaping bamboo also works magnificently well for carpentry

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Tony Curtis has died at the age of 85. He passed away at midnight Wednesday night at his home in Nevada. The actor suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was hospitalized in mid-July after he had trouble breathing.
Tony Curtis was one of two actors who greatly influenced me as a kid, the other Bruce Lee. As a person of color in America I’ve always found it tricky talking about race relations (similar to talking about shakuhachi with different kind of players). When I first saw The Defiant Ones as a young boy, I was excited to see something on TV that spke to me. The director’s handling of the racial politics pales in comparison to what artists are doing today with similar content, but at the time it was daring and fresh. I also loved his work in “Some Like it Hot”.. Tony sure knew how to wear a wig.
Some of my favorite quotes from Tony:
“Service to others is the rent we pay for time on earth.”
“Eighty F$#@ing years old. I do not feel any different now than I did when I was 30… dying, I just don’t feel like it.”

Played Tamuke today. R.I.P. my friend.

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Greetings all! Fall is here and there’s no better time than to have a shakuhachi sale! Actually, the shop keeps getting tinier and tinier and there’s all these flutes I’ve collected over the years that now need new homes. The picture above is of one of several drawers stuffed full of flutes. Over the years, I’ve been slowly restoring them when I had time between performances, making, repairs and teaching, but my schedule is not slowing down and the the storage situation is out of control. (maybe I just need to bring in a professional organizer .  These are all very playable. I’ve just been holding on to them thinking I’ll get to them soon but the years are flying by and I simply haven’t touch some of them in years! The fact is, they need to be played so I am making them available. You will see some on eBay now and I’ll continue to list them as I start clearing things out. Let me know if you’re looking for something in particular. Most are old Nobekan Jinashi flutes with period tuning perfect for solo Honkyoku and priced around $200 - $400.The best ones will be around $600 (all discounted). I have a few modern (1950’s - 1970’s) Jiari good for Sankyoku normally ranging from $500 - $2,000. They will also be discounted for the sale. My own crafted flutes are not part of this sale.

read on…

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The Some Enchanted Believing piece we performed for the DanceNow! Festival was a smash. We closed the evening to a very enthusiastic audience. One of the producers for the FAB Festival saw it and booked us so we’re performing tomorrow Sept 26th outdoors at around 3pm on East 4th street, rain or shine. My performance art cohort Richard Ebihara and I took the opportunity to show a work-in-progress on the indoor stage. We are doing some puppetry and contemporary dance to a live musical mash-up of shakuhachi, White Wedding by Billy Idol and Turning Japanese by the Vapors. It stars Dora the Explorer as Cio Cio San. 2:30pm New York Theater Workshop. Sept 26th. See the schedule here: FAB Festival Homepage See you there!

It’s always a bit hectic around here with the kids. It was especially frenetic this week due to the running around for the extra rehearsals. But, I was able to get some shop work done.

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This flute came as a gift or trade for services about four years ago. It was made around 70 years ago by Shugetsu (Pine Moon) not Yamaguchi Shugetsu.Jiari, fully plaster bore.

I’ve enjoyed it immensely but it’s getting a little tight in the shop these days so it’s time to find it a new home. All proceeds from this sale will go to the Phil James Emergency Family Fund. Phil is a shakuhachi master player and teacher who suffered a stroke recently. He also became a father to a baby boy shortly after. See the link for a glimpse into Phil’s world. As a father of two young children and working in the shakuhachi world myself, I cab only imagine. $300 includes free shipping and my Yung Flutes Shakuhachi Kit. 

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My shop is getting way to small these days. Its a perfect time for a Back to School sale! This 2.9 Hocchiku was originally priced at $700. It’s now on sale for 50% off - $350. Go to my shop here and see the details: 2.9 Hocchiku Shakuhachi

I’ll also be putting some Tensei Rebirth/Recycle flutes on sale soon. As always my flutes come with the Best Guarantee in the World.

Please feel free to inquire.

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At rehearsal with Maura Donohue and In MIxed Company for the Dance NOW! Festival! Tomorrow evening, over 300 people will hear the sound of the shakuhachi.
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Sept 8 - 11 at 7:30pm
$20 Advance Sale/$25 at the Door
For tickets call the box office 12 - 8pm at 212.924.0077
More info at Dance Theater Workshop - http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org/dancenownyc

This year’s festival will showcase the work of 4O innovative contemporary dance makers with an added challenge. Festival Twenty Ten participants have been asked to adopt Dance NOWs’ “less is more” attitude, and present a work that is a maximum of seven minutes long while still maintaining a concise, clear and complete artistic message.

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Happy Labor Day All! I’m in RI again for the Labor Day weekend. It’s been hectic as the kids are still on Summer Break. The temps were in the 90’s this week.

I managed to finish a repair before I left the city. This was an Ichijo Kobayashi. A fine instrument. from a fine maker. I had four Ichijo flutes in here lately. They all meet a high standard.

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