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January 11, 2006
Hocchiku Shakuhachi
This is a recently finished Hocchiku Shakuhachi. In Japan, they can be made from any kind of bamboo. The great Watazumido, who was the teacher of Katsuya Yokoyama, who is the teacher of Kinya Sogawa, who is my teacher in Saitama, Japan made Hocchiku from bamboo laundry poles. It can also be made from Moso or Madake. This one is made from Chinese Timber bamboo. People who do not play the shakuhachi can make one easily, but to make one that functions also as a music instrument requires experience. This flute is made from experience, both as a player of shakuhachi music and as a professional maker of fine shakuhachi instruments.
Hear the scale.
This is a long Choukan flute at 3.2 length pefectly pitched in F. Flutes this long that play this smoothly and in pitch are rare.
People who are sensitve to the material, or, aware that materials matter, usually prefer an all natural bamboo instrument when spending precious time alone.
Meditation with a flute is an individual's approach to using sound or vibrations when sitting in a private space. When I was in Japan for my shakuhachi studies, I tried looking for indiviuals who practiced meditation with shakuhach to learn from. I could not find one person who did this. None of the master shakuhachi players I studied with meditated with the shakuhachi and none could introduce me to anyone who did. If you are a person who practices Zen Meditation with shakuhachi and studied this formally in a Zen Buddhist context, please contact me. I'd love to hear from you. Otherwise, I could only think that it is a myth based on romaticized images of Komuso Monks, Samurai and Ronin.
Having said this, I personally benefit from meditative playing using the shakuhachi combined with my Yoga practice. I have found that most people believe that playing music is a different activity from meditating, but there are some who do practice meditation with shakuhachi. My approach is through the breathing techniques of Kundalini Yoga. This approach is related to the Yogic breath - the three stages of deep breathing using the diaphram, chest and throat. Bringing long regulated inhalations and exhalations to these three areas help to focus the mind and relieve stress. When used with Shakuhachi, the vibrations create a richer environment where the practitioner can focus on sound as a healing medium.
Hocchiku flutes are perfect for those who understand that a unique space or realm is required to fully appreciate the experience of music and relaxation. For those who have the tools to mine these depths, Hocchiku will be a great friend.
Breath deeply in the new year my friends,
Namaste,
Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at January 11, 2006 10:31 AM
Comments
Regarding meditation and playing the shakuhachi. I have practiced mindfullness for 20 years and have played shak for over 10. A book that can help in using the shakuchachi, or really any instrument as a meditation tool, is Robert Grous' book, "Introductoy Manual for Kinko Honkyoku." It's been a long time since I bought it, but I think I got it from Monty Levension.
Posted by: Sam Caldarera at January 25, 2006 11:47 AM