Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Gishin-

Your posts are awesome.  There always seem be enough culture nuggets in each one to inspire two or three sociology PhD dissertations.

I am realizing now that there is another layer of depth in this topic of traditional Japanese clothing and shakuhachi playing.   

Clearly for many people playing shakuhachi is a Japanese cultural activity and wearing traditional Japanese clothing is an appropriate and logical adornment.

But I suspect that for many people the shakuhachi is evolving into a post-Japanese instrument much as the violin is no longer an Italian instrument.  (I think this might be what Chris Moran is implying when he writes about the ‘great shakuhachi transmigration.’)

Japanese chamber music has always been and will always be 100% Japanese.  But I would argue that honkyoku have the potential to be truly international / universal in the way that Bach’s cello sonatas and Beethoven’s symphonies have become. 

I think this is part of the reason why I dislike the sight of western people dressing Japanese when playing shakuhachi.   It actually contributes to the ghettoization of the shakuhachi within the tight confines of the Japanese Asian Fetish / Eastern Cultural Appreciation / Historical Re-enactment Realm.

I actually want to see the shakuhachi grow beyond the borders of Ancient Japan and for it to be seen as an object of wonder and beauty for all cultures.     When I play shakuhachi I am not trying to communicate a Japanese cultural message – or trying to replicate a Japanese cultural experience – I am actually conveying something from myself as an individual.  And therefore the Japanese dress strikes me as so inauthentic and…goofy.

Zak - I also have some comments to say about the hat and ego but I will save them for later…

Tengai is "best way".

Zak -- jinashi size queen

Seth wrote:

Simply put: The costume is goofy but the basket is cool.  (Hat tip to Nyokai for using the word goofy.  That word really captures my feelings on this topic quite well.)

But while I have seen many a kimono have yet to see a live performance with the basket.

Now the tengai reminds me of the oddest of shakuhachi fashion statements--one I have seen on the websites of some highly respected players. Decked out in the full formal array with hakama and haori, they top it off with the tengai for an "instant komuso" effect. The komuso's outfit (see Gishin's description) is definitely more "salt of the earth."

Still, you don't know goofy Wafuku until you have seen the Matsuken Samba.

rpowers wrote:

rpowers wrote:

Still, you don't know goofy Wafuku until you have seen the Matsuken Samba

Please forgive me.

My freaking god!!! The pain is unbearable!! Shin san doing samba in a disco type Kimono. Ok well since you want to go down the slippery road of Japanese bad taste here is my answer to that.

So here is more pain for you all!!


One day I will quit it all and just buy myself one of those trucks and ride all over Japan!!

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=UgSDVkv26oQ

kanshiketsu wrote:

Hey! Now don't start insulting one of the greatest dramas ever filmed in Japan! Turakku Yaro rules! and Bunta Sugawara is one of my favorite Yakuza movie actors(Takakura Ken's rival in Yakuza movie actors).

By the way Gishin, it's Tom.

Yarrrrro!!

Gishin wrote:

So here is more pain for you all!!


One day I will quit it all and just buy myself one of those trucks and ride all over Japan!!

This suggests a nightmare where you look in the rear view mirror and see a monster pachinko machine closing in on your back bumper.

Tairaku wrote:

Simple question: has anybody here seen a Westerner who looks good in formal Japanese attire?

Besides Gishin of course.

Actually, I have. David Duncavage (my teacher), who at 6'3-4" and quite imposing in stature (not unlike you Tairaku) looks very put together, official and natural when dressed in formal dress hakama et al. Of course, he does know how to wear it, fold it, and what to wear with it. There are those who are able to competently wear Japanese (or other cultural) attire to such a degree that it looks like they belong in those clothes - given the context of the situation.
As Gishin said, as long as you know what and how to wear it. It's like some guy wearing a $2000 Armani suit with a grungy t-shirt and army boots.
Damon

Seth,
      At my Sensei's suggestion, I bought the hakama etc. I'm glad he did because it is requested on almost every gig I do. The thing is a pain to put on. Sometimes they have someone to help but one time after the person helped me they said "that'll be thirty bucks", plus paying $1500 for the thing in  the first place.

If I get a chance to play and not wear it I'm glad.  In the end it's a non-issue. When I'm on stage trying my best to sound as good as possible, the furthest thing from my mind is what I'm wearing. If the look far outweighs the ability then your derision is understandable and I'd probably join you. Posers are silly. However, perception is tricky business. I'm reminded of when I was playing a lot of African drums with Africans and as the only white guy thought I looked way hip and the funkiest white boy ever. But if I saw another white guy doing the same thing he looked like a poor lost sap to me. How can that be? What's the reality of it? I'm sure neither view point is accurate. But I think when I see somebody who bugs me it might some quality in myself I see and am disturbed by. Perception is tricky business.     
                                   
                                                                       Happy musing
                                                                             jim

Jim Thompson wrote:

The thing is a pain to put on. Sometimes they have someone to help but one time after the person helped me they said "that'll be thirty bucks", plus paying $1500 for the thing in  the first place.

I really dont see how putting a men's Kimono is hard to put on and that someone would need to have a helper to put it on. Wearing a women's Kimono is another thing especially when there is timing involved so having somebdy asist will greatly help to put it on. But as fars as I am concerned putting on a men's  Kimono regardles of being a nagagi or short top to use with hakama should not take more than 5 to 10 minutes maximum including the fundoshi part and Haramaki when I put it on.

Tairaku wrote:

Gishin wrote:

I really dont see how putting a men's Kimono is hard to put on and that someone would need to have a helper to put it on. .

Here's a question (for anyone, not just Gishin). If you went to the symphony and the Japanese cellist was wearing a kimono and the Indian violinist was wearing a saree would you be offended? Think, "They shouldn't wear that, they should be wearing a western suit or dress?" I wouldn't.

Quite Honestly I dont really give a Tanuki's Oshiri The main thing is as long as whatever they wear is in tune with the place and that they wear the stuff in the proper way.

The point I made about helping others get dressed in the formal playing attire wasn't to suggest that it was difficult to do.  It was a comment about not being considered different by Japanese because I can and do where it at times. 
Gishin, you are right.  It doesn't take more than 5 to 10 minutes to put it on properly, but as Brian suggests, it's done so infrequently by some , that sequence and direction are often forgotten.  It's really kind of like tying a neck tie.  And Brian, I'm with you in that if the gig is under my control, I won't wear the formal attire, but if it isn't and the wear is required, I'll do it.
As an aside, it appears that Japanese people think that larger men with a bit of girth and square shoulders (regardless of race) look better in a kimono/hakama than small, skinny men...for what it's worth.

I wear the hakama quit often because of my martial arts. I find them quit comfortable, more so then jeans. Also sometimes when we do training without a hakama I feel like I am running around in my underwear.

In Aikido class some people just do a simple knot, and it really sloppy. So it is really all about how to properly wear it.

As for Kimono I have never worn one I have always had a dogi to wear.