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Hi,
I am serious about Shakuhachi and it is for the long haul.I am trying to familiarise myself and comit to memory all terms from A- Z, relating to Shackuhachi. Teacher any input or website with such knowledge would be greatly appreciated and benefit all who love this bamboo?
May all derive happiness learning and blowing .
greenbamboo
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Hello, I would recommend the book "The Shakuhachi: A manual for learning" by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel that was printed in 1988. This book is full of information about the shakuhachi including terminology. All the best on the journey, Jeff
Last edited by JeffMartindale (2005-10-27 23:05:41)
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A dictionary of all shakuhachi terms is a huge task. Since so many of the Western shakuhachi players are academics hopefully one of them will take it on as part of their Ph.D. thesis (hint, hint)!
Here is a list American Kinko master John Singer has compiled of terms used to describe the tones of shakuhachi:
To read the entire article: http://www.zenflute.com/articles.html
SOME TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE TONAL AND OTHER QUALITIES BY WHICH SHAKUHACHI ARE JUDGED
1. Utsukushisa = overall beauty of tone
2. Miyabi = elegance/richness of tone
3. Shimari = tonal closure
4. Fukami = tonal depth
5. Asami = tonal shallowness
6. Akarusa = brightness of tone
7. Kurasa = darkness of tone
8. Amasa/amami = sweetness of tone
9. Marumi = roundness of tone
10. Shibumi = severity of tone
11. Yawarakasa = softness of tone
12. Katasa = hardness/harshness of tone
13. Zarazara = Dryenss/roughness (a type of harshness) of tone
14. tsumeasa = coldness of tone
15. Atatakasa = warmth oftone
16. Wabi/sabi = qualities of loneliness in the overall sound
17. Haba = sound width/bigness/reach/volume
18. Karumi = lightness of flute and tone
19. Omomi = heaviness of flute and tone
20. Yasashisa = kindness of tone
21. Joseiteki/Danseiteki = femininity & masculinity of tone
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The ISS website has a glossary page:
http://komuso.com/glossary.html
It is far from exhaustive, but it includes many of the less familiar terms in addition to the usual suspects.
Rich
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