Shakuhachi

The Shakuhachi bamboo flute was first used by the monks of the Fuke Zen of Zen Buddhism in the beginning in the 16th century in the practice of suizen (blowing meditation).The instrument is tuned to the minor pentatonic scale. Ever since I felt the power of this haunting sound wafting over the water when my friend sat on a giant rock overlooking Lake Whitingham near home in Vermont playing his Shakuhatchi, I have felt that unique sonorous sound deep in my soul. Today I found my Shakuhatchi in the Kyoto workshop home of a family of 4 generations of makers of this sacred instrument. Soon I will sit on that rock in Vermont sending out a meditative sound across the water around the world 節切尺八 🙏