Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

I'm sorry for not doing this previously, I guess I just never really thought to take the time. 

My name is Benjamin Sunderlin and I live in Indianapolis, Indiana.  I am a student at the Herron School of Art majoring in Sculpture with a minor in Philosophy.  I started my college path out at the Kansas City Art Institute, but decided to leave for health reasons. 

I grew up in Lafayette Indiana and went to Jefferson High School where I mostly took art classes.  I also pursued interests in Japanese, Mandarin, and the Russian language.  I fenced for my schools fencing team, and took kendo at Purdue University at the time.  It was inevitable with the interest in the japanese culture that I finally heard the shakuhachi.  My first recorded exposure was Kohachiro Miyata's cd. And fell in love with Shika no Tone.  I have expanded my collection of recorded pieces much more in the recent; but one of my all time favorites is Clive Bell's Komoro Bushi. 

In an attempt to learn everything I could about shakuhachi, I started reading, studying, and listening all the while going to high school.  I wanted a flute so badly, but with my limited budget I could not purchase one.  This is when I decided to try my hand at making.  I mainly stuck with hocchiku with bamboo provided from franks. 

Now I aspire to be a professional maker and all the while playing to satisfy my goals. It has been an enjoyable life ever since I started down this path.  Being even a small part of this community is a special honor and I am profoundly appreciative for all of you who take the time to inform, guide, and nurture all of us who dream.

Endless Blessings,

Ben