Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Hi there,

Have been browsing the posts on this wonderful forum for about a year now. So it is about time to introduce myself from the silence.

I met with a Shakuhachi 16 years ago when a well known maker in Nagano lent me one. I used to ride my pushbike up to the lower slopes of the Central alps and make a few noises with it in a pine forest near an old temple. Solitary moments, much enjoyed.
Foolishly I didn't buy the flute.

Ten years later I bought a lovely 2.1 at an antique fair in Tokyo and then met a good teacher in Tateshina in Nagano. Only learnt for a few months, but it was a great start.
Now I learn online with an exceedingly accomplished teacher who I am grateful to have access to.
Been a bit slow on my Shakuhachi path but getting keener in action every day now.

While in Tokyo I sat Zen and lived regularly in a Zazen Dojo for a few years. Took the layman precepts of Soto Zen.
Not formally involved anymore but always have a deep respect for the Zen lineages and the Zen Ways.
Shakuhachi is a curious ( as in "unexpected") form of Zen that I am very attracted to.


I dug up a piece of Madake here on Jeju Island a couple of months ago and have been contemplating some aged pieces of bamboo I purchased from Japan recently. After a few weeks of looking at the bamboo, last night I filed the end of one tiny rootlet end on the root end about 1.5mm.
I am not in a hurry.

I love the Shakuhachi. Honkyoku calm my mind and paradoxically give silent revelation. The flute and the music are becoming an integral part of this life.

This forum is a great resource. It is an exceptional place to explore.
Thank you.

Frederick