Fuke Myōan Shakuhachi

The jinashi shakuhachi is a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute, whose practice is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism. It has no keys or vibrating reed. Except a layer of lacquer, the bamboo is untreated inside, giving each shakuhachi a unique quality and tuning. The sound, made where breath meets the sharpened edge of the mouthpiece, is produced with the resources of the entire body. Everything depends on how that meeting is arranged. This makes the shakuhachi an instrument of difficult beginnings and continuous practice.

Given the bamboo name Yūsui (幽水) by my teacher Bill Shinsui (心水) Schultz, I play and guide students through the honkyoku repertoire of the Fuke Myōan (普化明暗) school, which transmits the classical pieces of the mendicant monks of the Zen Buddhist Fuke sect. I am a member of the Myōan Kyōkai (明暗教会) in Kyoto and the European Shakuhachi Society, and am currently working toward fulfilling the requirements to become an officially licensed carrier of the repertoire.

In light of furthering the knowledge of Fuke Myōan shakuhachi in the English-speaking world, I am also preparing a complete translation of the Tomimori Kyozan’s 1979 (富森虚山) study A Commentary on Meian Shakuhachi (明暗尺八通解), and reflect on my practice on the blog Incomplete Transmissions.

Lessons

Lessons proceed one piece at a time: by score, ear, and imitation, in the manner in which the repertoire was transmitted to me. If you are a beginner, you spend the first months on posture, breath, and tone: the angle of the flute, the shape of the breath, and the articulation of fingers and chin. There is no prior musical training required, and there is no advantage to having any.

Students who already play the shakuhachi and are interested in the Fuke Myōan school and its repertoire are welcome to bring their own practice and questions.

Practicalities

Format

Individual lessons, in person or online.

Length

60 minutes.

Language

English, Dutch, Albanian.

Instrument

I can advise on obtaining a first flute; a student instrument is available for borrowing.

Getting in touch

Write to yusui@vangervenoei.com with a note about your background and what draws you to the instrument.