August 13, 2008

Daily Zen Shakuhachi

Hi All, I make a lot of shakuhachi, from professional level to what I call my Daily Zen Shakuhachi. These flutes are made from the upper part of the bamboo stalk. They are often visually "imperfect" by having gutters, cut off branch nodes and are thinner walled. But, they can play like a nice simple shakuhachi. These are made in a similar approach to an artist making a sketch. Those involved with the fine arts can appreciate the whimsical, light touch of a sketch over the painstaking exactness of a finished painting. Sketches provide a window into the world of an artist - a glimpse into a masterpiece (at an affordable price). Just search Michaelangelo's sketches and you can see how amazing these drawings are. They were never meant to be exhibited but today, art lovers around the world can enjoy seeing the process of the artist

These Daily Zen Shakuhachi often show the process with the mark of a file or a similar natural "imperfection". However, they are polished up and echo a sense of Zen Wabi Sabi in respect to nature's beauty. Besides, I hate wasting bamboo :)

Here is an email that came to me today from someone who purchased a Daily Zen Shakuhachi a few months ago:

"Perry

ps someone who only plays the shakuhachi flute for meditation
it isn't easy for me to just pick up a flute and play it
but i'm happy to tell you that i left the flute i bought from you on a table that i pass by daily
and i would always pick it up and try to find THE SPOT;
somehow ... just missing it .....and
for months now nothing came out but the sound of my breath
then finally this weekend on an island in Maine it all came together
wonderful dreamy flows of music, @ least to my ears !!!!
the sound is far.... far superior to my original $15 flute
the tones are delight-full
and once i cracked the code ... i can now just pick up the flute and it's as if i always
knew THE SPOT on my lips that would deliver such sweetness

a belated thanks for your craftsmanship

best regards
P.S. - WA"

The simple act of touching the flute daily will invite magic.

Namaste, Perry

Posted by Perry Yung at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)

Not about shakuhachi part Two

Those of you who guessed With or Without You by U2 wins a new shakuhachi! Just kidding.
Thanks for indulging:)

Now...back to the shakuhachi. I have a refurbished and tweaked Inoue Shigemi available. It's a 1.6 that came from John Singer who collected it in Japan. More tomorrow.

Namaste, Perry


Posted by Perry Yung at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)

August 08, 2008

Shakuhachi CLearance Sale

Hi All, I'm still trying to set up my shop in NYC after having been mostly working out of Northampton. Now that I'm back in the City full time, I'm finding my shop too small so I need to make some room. I'll be making a whole lot of flutes available soon.

Here are some I just listed on eBay.

I originally thought I would offer them directly at a fixed price but since time is tight, it's much easier to let the market decide the value. I just listed them on eBay at a super low prices. Just go to eBay and search shakuhachi to find these flutes. They'll close between August 12th and 18th.

#1) 1.8 Seikado - Cracked but working fine. Inlayed bindings not finished with rattan wrap.
#2) 1.6 Spirit Water - Cracked but working. Inlayed bindings but not finished with rattan wrap
#3) 1.8 Yung Student - Cracked but working
#4) 1.8 Komuso - Not working well
$5) 1.8 Komuso - Not working well
#5) 1.8 Matsuda - Not working at all.

Please feel free to send me an email if you are looking for something in particular.


Namaste, Perry


Posted by Perry Yung at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)

August 05, 2008

Not about Shakuhachi

Hi All, Today's blog is not about shakuhachi. I came across this vid and was blown away by his music. This is a young guitar prodigy named Sungha Jung from South Korea.


Can you name the tune?

I started playing guitar when I was thirteen. I wished I had started shakuhachi back then! Namaste, Perry

Posted by Perry Yung at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)

August 04, 2008

Shinzan 1.8 shakuhachi owned by Yokoyama Katsuya

Hi All, A friend ask if I can make this shakuhachi available. He would rather it go to someone in the shakuhachi community first.

This is a SHINZAN probably made around the 1970's. It was given to an American horn player who was in an orchestra performing November Steps. in Japan in the 70's. He spoke Japanese and quickly befriended Yokoyama Katsuya. When they parted, Yokoyama gifted him this shakuhachi. I do not know if Yokoyama played this shakuhachi. The horn player is now deceased and his friend, the guardian of this flute, is making it available.

This flute is a great beginner to intermediate level modern shakuhachi - great pitch, tuning, flexibility and volume. When it came to me, the joint wrap had deteriorated and it had a 2 1/2" crack above the thumb hole. There were also other unnecessary bindings which were unattractive so they were removed. I've since refurbished and stabilized the wrap with a few coats of urushi and replaced two bindings but left the original 30 lbs mono filament over the hanko. It plays at the level of a fine contemporary Japanese shakuhachi valued around $1,200 - $1,600 on the Japanese market. Experienced players who have been around will know the maker. Because of it's history, it probably has a higher value.

Offers will be respectfully contemplated by the guardian of this shakuhachi.

Please email me directly at perry@yungflutes for more info.

Namaste, Perry




Posted by Perry Yung at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)

August 03, 2008

Earth Shakuhachi and Student Shakuhachi

Hi all, I get a lot of emails asking the different between my Earth Model 1.8 and Student Model 1.8 instuments. The Earth model is an all natural flute designed for those who want to get a glimpse into the shakuhachi world on a natural bore instrument that has a more organic and bambooey sound. These are fine tuned but only to enhance the natural tonal qualities associated with a natural bamboo shakuhachi. The Student model is made with Ji plaster added to the bore and sealed ed with Japanese Urushi lacquer. It is fine tuned to play the music as understood by todays professional players. It plays with focus, power and accuracy in pitch and tone color therefore making it perfect for traditional lessons with a teacher. The Student model is the one on top with a black interior.



The SM has a Kinko Style Horn inlay to preserve the sharpness on the blowing edge.



The holes are fine tune both inside and out for proper contemporary tuning and faster playing action across both octaves.



The bottom end of the bore flares out a bit like a trumpet as the plaster thins out. This helps project the volume when performing.



There are lots of different kinds of shakuhachi. Some are made for Zen meditative playing and can not take the technical demands of traditional Japanese shakuhachi repertoire as practiced by contemporary professional players. My Student models start at $300 and are made by commission only since they are in high demand. The wait is about two months for completion. My student models are made to the bore dimesions taken from Chikusen Tamai's work shop where my sensei Kinya Sogawa apprenticed. These instruments can handle all the demands of traditional shakuhachi music including all the advanced fingerings associated with Kinko, Myoan, Miean and Dokyoku style shakuhachi music. Please feel free to ask any questions what so ever. It would be an honor to direct you to the right flute for your needsNamaste, Perry

Posted by Perry Yung at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)

July 31, 2008

Two Friends play Shakuhachi at Obon Odor Festival

Hi All, I used to play shakuhachi and do all kinds of wild theater and performance art with my good friend Brian Nishii. But these days with two kids and Brian being recently married, we rarely hang out.
We did however have a little time to catch up recently at an Obon Odori Festival in Bryant Park New York City. His band, Happyfunsmile played their brand of Okinawan pop to kick it off.

It was a whole lot of fun, senoirs and kids dancing all day as we played shakuhachi backstage.

Often times, we only play in front of our teachers or alone. It's good to play shakuhachi with a friend. We hadn't played in a while so we just improvised. I naturally close my eyes when playing. Maybe thsi has something to do with meditative playing. But when I opened my eyes, I saw a crowd around us and someone shooting this video. It was a funny moment.

Namaste, Perry

Posted by Perry Yung at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

July 16, 2008

Wings of Defeat Kamikaze Documentary

Shakuhachi Talk

Hi All, I recorded some shakuhachi music for the sound track of a documentary called Wings of Defeat which about the Kamikaze Pilots of WWII. It just had it's New York City Premier Last night. It was great o see (and hear) the film finally. I originally saw it on a small studio monitor when I was laying down the tracks in New York City.


Purchase the DVD if you can at http://www.edgewoodpictures.com/wingsofdefeat/

This film is a truly powerful work of art. I am humbled to have contributed in a small way.
Namaste, Perry

Posted by Perry Yung at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)