About Shakuhachi

The History of Shakuhachi

The Japanese shakuhachi was brought from China

The Japanese shakuhachi was brought from abroad and has been transformed into a unique Japanese version. The shakuhachi was originally from the Tang dynasty in China, and is said to have been created during the time of Emperor Taizong (627-649). The name "Shakuhachi" is named from the fact that the standard length was 1 shaku 8 sun（23in.）in the measurement of that time. The shakuhachi instrument, and name are no longer handed down in China, But came to Japan during the Nara period（710 - 784） and spread across Japan.

The shakuhachi was played as a legal instrument

In the 1400s, the shakuhachi was actively performed among monks, court nobles, and samurai. In the late 1500s, people called "Komuso" appeared. They belonged to the Fuke-shu sect, a sect of Zen Buddhism. The shakuhachi was not just a musical instrument, but also a legal instrument (religious instrument), and playing it was a form of Buddhist practice.

The shakuhachi became popular with the common people in the 1700s

In the 1700s, the Komuso featured in Kabuki became popular as it was depicted in Ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). Eventually, when a monk who specialized in teaching the shakuhachi came out, a rehearsal hall was established in Edo City(modern Tokyo), and the shakuhachi became popular, including with the general public.

The fuke-shu sect was abolished by the new government

In 1871, the Fuke-shu sect was abolished by the new government. It is said that the reason for the abolition is that the donations were extorted from members and the licenses were issued in a chaotic manner. As a result, the shakuhachi performance as a religious act of Komuso was also prohibited.

The shakuhachi players started playing with koto and shamisen

The shakuhachi players tried to seek a way to be perceived as simply musicians, and they found a way to play the "三曲合奏（Sankyoku Ensemble）", which was already recognized by society as music, and to pair the shakuhachi with the music from the koto and shamisen.
However, not every shakuhachi player chose "sankyoku ensemble", and some inherited the traditional shakuhachi and played accompaniment to folk songs in rural areas. In addition, musical scores based on the theory of Western music theory were created, and they began to compose and perform.

Types of Shakuhachi

Length of the Shakuhachi

The name "shakuhachi" comes from the length of the instrument, which is 1 shaku 8 sun (about 54.5 cm/21.4 inches). In reality, there are several different lengths and the key changes depending on the length of the tube.

Utakuchi（Mouthpiece）

A reinforcing material is inserted into the Utakuchi. The purpose of this reinforcement is to prevent the deterioration of the bamboo material due to dewy breath over many years of use and to make the breath catcher, like a reed in woodwind instruments, more acute to facilitate the production of sound. The shape of the reinforcement of the Utakuchi varies according to style, with Kinko-ryu using a square shape and Tozan-ryu using a round shape. There is no functional difference.

Nakatsugi（Center joint）

A typical shakuhachi can be divided into two parts at the Nakatsugi for easy portability. Those without a joint are called “Nobekan.” Since the Nobekan is basically ungrounded (the inner part of the tube is not machined), it is difficult to adjust the pitch and is not used very often.

How to Hold the Shakuhachi

If the shakuhachi is unstable when held, it will not make a good sound. Always hold the Utakuchi in a stable position. Also, do not lean on your elbows and let gravity do the work for you.

How to hold

1. Hold the Shakuhachi with your dominant hand facing down.
   
2. Place the middle finger in the middle of the first and second holes and the thumb on the opposite side of the middle finger.
3. Place the mouthpiece on your lips.
4. Place the thumb of the other hand on the 5th hole and lightly place the middle finger near the Nakatsugi.
   

The facial expression should be as natural as possible and the lips should be slightly parted. Tighten only the ends of the lips. Next, place the Utakuchi lightly over the mouth and look for a position where the line of the Utakuchi is just where the lips meet, and once determined, return the lips to their natural angle.