#Honkyoku

[alphachromeyayo]

Man, shakuhachi is HARD

After a couple of days I can semi-reliably get *some* sound out of it at least 🪈🎍🍃

Needs a lot of practice obviously, and it'll be a very long journey, but yay!

[philosohappy]

Honkyoku are the pieces of shakuhachi or hocchiku music played by wandering Japanese Zen monks called komuso. 

Komuso played honkyoku for enlightenment and alms as early as the 13th century. In the 18th century, a komuso named Kinko Kurosawa of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism was commissioned to travel throughout Japan and collect these musical pieces. 

The results of several years of travel and compilation were thirty-six pieces known as the Kinko-Ryu Honkyoku.

[thebrownbuddha]

Nara Shakuhachi Pilgrimage

Title: A Memorable Shakuhachi Day Pilgrimage in Nara with Komuso-minded Friends, (blog post re-written by “AI”) Introduction: Embarking on a Shakuhachi day pilgrimage in Nara, Japan, turned out to be an unforgettable experience filled with unexpected encounters and beautiful moments. Joined by a fellow Shakuhachi player from the Netherlands and a dear friend who had transitioned from being a…

[neuro-chaos]

Jazu Furuto

[rhianna]

Wabi Sabi is the beauty of imperfect things

The shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese flute, also embodies the ideals of wabi sabi.  It boasts a simple structure: a rough bamboo pipe, open at both ends, with five holes and a bottom end made from the root end of the bamboo stalk. Even if it seems unsophisticated, a shakuhachi is nevertheless a work of art, craftsmanship and engineering. Honkyoku (original pieces) flute music played by Japanese Zen monks is also considered wabi sabi. 

https://japanobjects.com/features/wabi-sabi

[selfdefensegearco]

Check Out This Fantastic Post Just Published on https://selfdefensegearco.com/personal-protection/gyokusui-shakuhachi/

Gyokusui Shakuhachi

Gyokusui III 2.4 Shakuhachi My wife and I recently returned from another terrific vacation in Japan, where thanks to our friends Jerry and Hiromi Schmick, we had the great fortune to meet Gyokusui III, the third generation shakuhachi maker of the Gyokusui family, and to buy an incredible shakuhachi from him. I’ve written about the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute created by ex-samurai monks as a meditation device and musical instrument that could double as a weapon, at least twice previously.  And as I’ve also written before, the more I practice it the more I realize how great it is as a compliment to self defense/martial arts training.  Not only is it a great counter balance to hard and violent physical practice, a doorway into the optimal mental state for action, and a tool for both self expression and clearing the mind, but the traditional one-piece shakuhachi, as it was originally made, is also an amazing weapon that can be carried anywhere. Although the shakuhachi was a one-piece instrument for centuries, the modern version being made by most Japanese makers today is made in two sections, with a joint in the middle of the flute.  This makes it much smaller for transport but nearly useless as a weapon.  Of course, the vast majority of shakuhachi players today don’t look at the flute as a weapon.  Last year I visited Kitahara, a famous shakuhachi maker in Kyoto, and bought a modern two-piece flute from him.  But as a self defense practitioner and teacher, the traditional one-piece version is even more appealing to me. In addition to being a famous and highly respected maker, Gyokusui III makes shakuhachi both in the traditional and modern styles.  The most common shakuhachi size is a 1.8, which is 54.5 cm/21.5 inches, but I was looking for a longer flute with deeper tones.  So I went to Gyokusui’s place looking for a traditional one-piece 2.4, which is 75 cm / 29.5 inches.  Here is my 2.4 next to a kali stick: Gyokusui 2.4 & Kali Stick The shakuhachi I chose is thicker and heavier than the kali sticks I typically use (which are thicker and heavier than most kali sticks). Gyokusui was a fantastic host, and Jerry and his wife Hiromi were great guides and translators.  We spent more than 2 hours trying numerous flutes, all incredibly beautiful instruments in both sound and appearance. Myself and Gyokusui III At Gyokusui’s Place A Few Gyokusui Shakuhachi Our friend Jerry is a practicing Komuso monk, living with his wife Hiromi in Nara, and is sponsored by Gyokusui, who lives and works in Osaka.  If you’re visiting Japan and interested in an incredible shakuhachi, in either the traditional or modern style, I highly recommend Gyokusui’s instruments. As for the sound, I’ll end this post with a recording of myself playing one of my favorite honkyoku (Zen meditation compositions), the Jin Nyodo version of Kyorei, which I played on my new shakuhachi: The post Gyokusui Shakuhachi appeared first on Functional Self Defense.

[ralphbutler]

Yoshio Kurahashi - Honkyoku. Zen Music for Shakuhachi.

[music-genre-robot]

Proto-Ukrainian Honkyoku

[mawgumelar]

The theoretical basis of Fuke-shū was to emphasise the concept of the incommunicable aspect of enlightenment, an ideal traced to various Buddhist sects and relayed in paradoxical Zen writings such as the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, the Diamond Sutra and Bodhidharma's "Bloodstream sermon". Thus Fuke monks rarely chanted sutras or other Buddhist texts, but rather relied upon scores of sacred shakuhachi music called honkyoku to express and transmit awakening.

Source: Wikipedia

[sonolucent]

#cultivateawe : Joy, Gratitude, Serenity, Interest, Hope, Pride, Inspiration, Awe, Love. Many positive emotions from Kurahashi Yodo II Sensei’s visit to Rochester, NY from Kyoto, Japan for the February 22-23, 2023 Shakuhachi Winter Intensive. In these shakuhachi Japanese flute classes we learned traditional Honkyoku songs, very beautiful and challenging. This was the first shakuhachi event in Rochester in three years, the last one being right before the shutdown at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you so much, Kurahashi Sensei! (at Rochester, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpF1faMOCsh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[teconozcomascarita]

Komusō con shakuhachi

[auringal]

Un #komusō, monje de la nada o del vacío era un monje mendicante de la secta #Fuke del budismo #zen. Por lo general se les caracteriza por utilizar una canasta de paja en la cabeza como una manifestación de la ausencia de ego y tocando la #shakuhachi (una flauta japonesa) utilizada para meditar. Los #komusō practicaban el #suizen, un tipo de meditación en la que solo tocaban piezas en el shakuhachi llamadas #honkyoku. Debido a su vestimenta, los ninja se disfrazaban de komusō para pasar inadvertidos. (fuente: wikipedia) Los komuso recibían al ordenarse tres herramientas: la flauta, el sombrero de paja y el mantón (similar al de otras sectas budistas) El cesto cubría completamente el rostro de forma aparatosa, pero permitiendo la interpretación del instrumento. También recibían una pequeña caja de madera lacada que colgaban del cuello para portar los documentos que les permitían atravesar las fronteras. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRRLNtasWNc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thebrownbuddha]

Anjikan and SuiZen = Esoteric Ro SuiZen, p.1

In previous posts, I spoke of my Pilgrimage to Mt. Koyasan in Wakayama, Japan. The purpose was twofold, to experience Shingon Anjikan meditation and to revisit another temple I stayed at a couple of years ago, to recharge my Spirit. While experiencing Anjikan I came upon the idea of how to adapt some of the techniques, and philosophy to Shakuhachi SuiZen. Many theory’s are floating around about…

[itsmarjudgelove]

In medieval times, komusō or "emptiness monks" used the shakuhachi [bamboo-flute] as a spiritual tool. Their songs called "honkyoku" were considered meditation (suizen). They wore wicker baskets (tengai 天蓋) over their heads, a symbol of their egolessness & world detachment.

[selfdefensegearco]

Check Out This Fantastic Post Just Published on https://selfdefensegearco.com/personal-protection/gyokusui-shakuhachi-2/

Gyokusui Shakuhachi

Gyokusui III 2.4 Shakuhachi My wife and I recently returned from another terrific vacation in Japan, where thanks to our friends Jerry and Hiromi Schmick, we had the great fortune to meet Gyokusui III, the third generation shakuhachi maker of the Gyokusui family, and to buy an incredible shakuhachi from him. I’ve written about the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute created by ex-samurai monks as a meditation device and musical instrument that could double as a weapon, at least twice previously.  And as I’ve also written before, the more I practice it the more I realize how great it is as a compliment to self defense/martial arts training.  Not only is it a great counter balance to hard and violent physical practice, a doorway into the optimal mental state for action, and a tool for both self expression and clearing the mind, but the traditional one-piece shakuhachi, as it was originally made, is also an amazing weapon that can be carried anywhere. Although the shakuhachi was a one-piece instrument for centuries, the modern version being made by most Japanese makers today is made in two sections, with a joint in the middle of the flute.  This makes it much smaller for transport but nearly useless as a weapon.  Of course, the vast majority of shakuhachi players today don’t look at the flute as a weapon.  Last year I visited Kitahara, a famous shakuhachi maker in Kyoto, and bought a modern two-piece flute from him.  But as a self defense practitioner and teacher, the traditional one-piece version is much more appealing to me. Fortunately, in addition to being a famous and highly respected maker, Gyokusui III makes shakuhachi both in the traditional and modern styles.  The most common shakuhachi size is a 1.8, which is 54.5 cm/21.5 inches, but I was looking for a longer flute with deeper tones.  So I went to Gyokusui’s place looking for a traditional one-piece in a 2.4 size, which is 75 cm / 29.5 inches.  Here is my 2.4 next to a kali stick: Gyokusui 2.4 & Kali Stick The shakuhachi I chose is thicker and heavier than the kali sticks I typically use (which are thicker and heavier than most kali sticks). For traveling with a flute, Jerry recommended Japanese sword and shinai bags, which I found to be perfect, and you can get them with or without a shoulder strap.  Here are two that I’m using for my 2.4: Shakuhachi Carry Bags Gyokusui was a fantastic host, and Jerry and his wife Hiromi were great guides and translators.  We spent more than 2 hours trying numerous flutes, all incredibly beautiful instruments in both sound and appearance. Myself and Gyokusui III At Gyokusui’s Place A Few Gyokusui Shakuhachi Our friend Jerry is a practicing Komuso monk, living with his wife Hiromi in Nara, and is sponsored by Gyokusui, who lives and works in Osaka.  If you’re visiting Japan and interested in an incredible shakuhachi, in either the traditional or modern style, I highly recommend Gyokusui’s instruments. As for the sound, I’ll end this post with a recording of myself playing one of my favorite honkyoku (Zen meditation compositions), the Jin Nyodo version of Kyorei, which I played on my new shakuhachi: The post Gyokusui Shakuhachi appeared first on Functional Self Defense. Self Defense Tip: How To Prevent Being Kidnapped…CLICK HERE

[legendoftheghost]

⭐️🌲🎧

Drop a symbol for a headcanon || @sonxflight || accepting 

⭐️ : What's your muse's one wish?

All Jin Sakai wishes to do is to overthrow the social straitjacket imposed on Japanese society and breaking down its structure with a a combination of serious political, economic and social pressures. The Ghost’s tenacious work and self-sacrificial resistance against the caste system could become a catalyst for revolutionary changes: at least coming up with the system of dual government by shogun would be replaced by a unified national government under the emperor; but most importantly for feudalism, the clan system and the samurai class being abolished. 

🌲 : What's your muse's favorite type of plant?

Japanese Maple; for they have been considered a symbol of grace personified by many Asian cultures for hundreds of years. Associated with peace and serenity of the world's elements, Japanese maple trees represent balance and practicality and are called "kito" in the Japanese language, which means "calm," "rest" or "at peace." Also, the expansive, horizontal branches and bright red foliage of the Japanese maple tree inspire awe and reverence. The tree represents pure elegance and an educated sense of tastefulness, and makes an excellent addition to gardens of any size. So revered is the Japanese maple tree for its striking beauty and rich colors that an entire field of art has been dedicated to the Asian shrub.

Also, the Lotus; they symbolize purity, beauty, majesty, grace, fertility, wealth, knowledge, serenity, devotion, rebirth and divinity. The lotus is equally a climatic symbol, the numerous petals suggesting the cyclical nature of the seasons and, further that the seedpod, the open flower and the bud represent the past, present and future. In Buddhism, the lotus represents purity because its flower rises above the vase like the Enlightened One above the world.

🎧 : What's your muse's favorite type of music?

Fuke monks or priests (komusō) were noted for playing the shakuhachi bamboo flute as a form of meditation known as suizen ("blowing meditation"), an innovation from the earlier zazen ("sitting meditation") of other Zen sects. Jin’s shakuhachi playing style mimics that of those monks and priests, as he would have picked up on learning that style of playing in accordance with his samurai training. Fuke Zen was characterized in the public imagination of Japan by its monks' playing of the shakuhachi flute while wearing a large woven basket hat that covered their entire head as they went on pilgrimage, and I’d like to believe Jin Sakai would have seen them pass by Omi Village in his youth. 

I know the shakuhachi is originally played by the monks of the Fuke Zen Buddhist sect in Japan during the Edo era (1603-1868), which would be another one of those anachronisms in the game. Jin would be most familiar with the classical repertoire of honkyoku pieces, known for their simple, austere character, that were used in a form of meditation. The melodies of these pieces are given life and personality through their tone-colors. Without their tone-colors, these pieces would grow quite bland, and lose their meditative quality. Consequently, and especially in older playing styles, tone-color takes precedence over precision in pitch.