The Shakuhachi

Well, I just dropped $1,500 on a 1.8 size shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo buddhist flute) in Tokyo made by Chikufuu. This is the one that Zen monks play to become enlightened. 300 years ago it was illegal to touch one if you were not a monk, and the players were guaranteed free passage on ships, free admittance to plays, and free travel between all the prefectures of Japan by the Shogunate. Many were ex-samurai and used the heavy flute as a deadly club in combat. They wore giant baskets on their heads to emphasize their detachment from the physical world. I’ve looked and looked and I can’t find a single piece of ACTUAL shakuhachi music on audiojungle played on a real shakuhachi. Well just you wait. Coming soon to audiojungle! http://fradive.webs.ull.es/confe/heid2009/zenshakuh.jpg

Awesome! Enigma style, please!

Awesome! I love the sound of those!!

I can also lay down shakuhachi lines for you guys if you want, i have available to me the D minor pentatonic scale in two octaves (mainly, other bent notes can be played.)

Blacklamp said
I’ve looked and looked and I can’t find a single piece of ACTUAL shakuhachi music on audiojungle played on a real shakuhachi.

I might need for my album, not AJ material. I will PM you when my tracks will be in shape of getting more instruments and let’s hope the offer will still be available.

Congratulations Blacklamp. I love the sound, and try playing it on my keyboard regularly. But it wouldn’t compare to owning a real one. I’m looking forward to hearing it on AJ!

That’s a serious-looking flute – is it necessary to wear a basket on your head when you play though? Those shoes are amazing too, but probably not good for running away after you’ve walloped someone with the Shakuhachi! Look forward to hearing your music with it

Only the monks of ancient times wore the basket, people today wear them as costumes during some rare performances. Mejiro (shakuhachi store), which is like a 5 minute walk from Mejiro station in Tokyo, has the outfits for sale, the begging bowl, the tengu hat, the sash and the shoes. The Fuke sect was banned a few hundred years ago after some political upheaval because they were spies for the previous government, hence the special privileges.

It’s notoriously difficult to play, i’ve spent about 6 barely squeaking out a tone, and another 6 months where all I could do was string together an exhausted sounding single line and then have to sit down. Normally when I pick up a new instrument, I can make something nice happen on it in a few days, sometimes a few hours, but not this beast.

That shakuhachi offer will ALWAYS be available, as well as 10 mic live drums or any other of the 30 or more instruments that I play. PM me for more info.