SHAKUHACHI 尺八

• HISTORY
  

A shakuhachi (Japanese: 尺八, pronounced [ɕakɯhat͡ɕi]; Chinese: 尺八; pinyin: chǐbā) is a Japanese and ancient Chinese longitudinal, end-blown flute that is made of bamboo.

The bamboo end-blown flute now known as the shakuhachi was developed in Japan in the 16th century and is called the fuke shakuhachi (普化尺八). A bamboo flute known as the kodai shakuhachi (古代尺八, ancient shakuhachi), which is quite different from the current style of shakuhachi, was introduced to Japan from China in the 7th century and died out in the 10th century. After a long blank period, the hitoyogiri shakuhachi (一節切尺八) appeared in the 15th century, and then in the 16th century, the fuke shakuhachi was developed in Japan. The fuke shakuhachi flourished in the 18th century during the Edo period, and eventually the hitoyogiri shakuhachi also died out. The fuke shakuhachi developed in Japan is longer and thicker than the kodai shakuhachi and has one finger hole less. It is longer and thicker than hitoyogiri shakuhachi and is superior in volume, range, scale and tone quality.

Today, since the shakuhachi generally refers only to fuke shakuhachi, the theory that the shakuhachi is an instrument unique to Japan is widely accepted.

The shakuhachi is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke Zen of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (blowing meditation).

The instrument is tuned to the minor pentatonic scale.

(Source Wikipedia)

1. JIARI SHAKUHACHI

JIARI means "lacquer (natural one) is used". That's the common shakuhachi used in different schools of Shakuhachi like Tozan created after the Fuke shu was destroyed during Meiji period (1860) restauration. That's definitely a "real" refined instruments made to play any kind of Melodies (minyo, Folk jap. song), made for concert.

2. JINASHI SHAKUHACHI

JINASHI Shakuhachi has no lacquer inside, it's come closer to a natural sound (lower pitch). It's often used for playing Myoan Shakuhachi because of its tone but it can be quiet versatile. More concentration, more blowing power is needed. It's part of the blowing Zen process.

I highly recommend to use a JINASHI, it's harder to play but it fits in many ways to the Myoan Spirit. Personally I start playing with a JIARI and switch to a JINASHI after 4 months.