Surround yourself with the ancient, melodic sound of the shakuhachi bamboo flute

Details

• Private Experience

• Location: Nerima City, Tokyo

• 2 hours

• 3 people max. Minimum of two participants required. Solo guests may book at the price of two participants.

• Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English
  (French/German interpretation may be available upon request)

A Spiritual Sound, Perfectly Pitched

With faces obscured by woven straw basket hats, komuso monks wandered the streets of Edo Japan, clutching shakuhachi bamboo flute and playing mystifying tunes as a form of spiritual meditation. Known as the "priests of nothingness," this sect of Buddhist monk, all said to be born from samurai families, became synonymous with shakuhachi performances, and interest in their special musical arrangements was widespread, from local townspeople to leading lords. However, the history of the shakuhachi extends back far beyond these Edo days, with earlier versions of the instrument existing as early as the 8th century. Expert artisans have been crafting this multifarious flute for centuries, an arduous process that combines over 5 years of drying time with an additional year of crafting. Each craftsperson must complete the process by hand, carefully straightening out the natural curves of the bamboo material, whittling and carving, and applying layer upon layer of coating and urushi lacquer in order to seal the interior. While the shakuhachi has only 5 holes, experienced players can achieve nearly any note, shifting the positioning of their fingers or the speed of their breath to reach a range of up to 3 octaves. With this remarkable versatility, shakuhachi can tackle the pentatonic and harmonic scale, be performed alone, paired in accompaniments with kotos, shamisen, and other traditional instruments, and even featured in jazz ensembles to infuse contemporary arrangements with classical charm. Meet the masters keeping the sound of the shakuhachi alive at their Tokyo studio, and immerse into the music of Japan's cultural heritage.

What you’ll do

Learn about the history and characteristics of the shakuhachi from 3rd and 4th-generation artisans. Observe the masters at work crafting professional shakuhachi bamboo flutes. Listen to the sound of the shakuhachi, then try your hand at carrying a tune on this historic instrument.

Who can attend

Children must be 10+

Availability

Everyday
Session 1 (13:00 - 15:00)
Session 2 (15:30 - 17:30)

Access

30 minutes from Tokyo station by car

Cancellation Policy

Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
* A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.