SHAKUHACHI – Japanese Bamboo Flute
Shakuhachi is a Japanese bamboo flute which was brought to Japan from China in the eighth century. For many centuries shakuhachi has been used in a spiritual context. During the Edo period (1600-1868), the shakuhachi became the tool for primary meditative practice of Zen Buddhist "wandering" monks, who called themselves komuso ("priests of nothingness"). Playing the bamboo flute relaxes mind and body by combining effects from mental focus, vibrations from the sound, and powerful breathing techniques. Until late 1800's, playing shakuhachi was exclusive privilege of komuso, who were in most of cases, former samurai.
In this presentation we would like to introduce the Honkyoku, or the repertoire of sacred pieces for Zen meditation. We would like to talk about the flute, which has been used for many centuries as spiritual tool, and as a dangerous weapon, and nowadays, as a beautiful instrument, recorded in hundreds of CDs and many world-famous movies. And finally, we would like to invite you to participate in a unique sound-and-silence-guided meditation with 600-700 years old pieces of music.