Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Toby wrote:

Hi to everyone here,

My name is Toby, I live in Tokyo and Beijing. I spent a number of years worth of weekends at Meijiro in Tokyo learning to make shakuhachi and have completed a couple, although these days travelling between two countries I don't find much time to get out my garibo anymore. In my 22 years living in Japan I have had the good fortune to pick up a number of excellent vintage instruments, including a fabulous Meiji instrument by a maker named Chikudo, whom no one seems to have heard of, but who should have given some lessons to the 20th century makers. One of my most interesting finds is an old Okuralo, which is presently being repadded.

I've never studied the instrument formally but I sort of get by with my own style, although I suppose that most formal players would disagree. I have been playing woodwinds and flutes of all types for about 50 years now, so I have a certain amount of embouchure and breath control, but I really do need to find the time to study the standards and the particular language of the shakuhachi.

Hi Toby, Welcome to the Forum!

I have a good friend who plays shakuhachi and other flutes in Beijing. Are you still traveling between the two countries? I'll be glad to introduce you guys.

Best, Perry