Makers

Name of the making dojo: Hotchiku

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi shakuhachi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2017

Location: Bordeaux, France

Address/website: www.hotchiku.com http://www.hotchiku.com/

Email: aeseris@gmail.com

Biography: Painter and multi instrumentalist, I like to experiment different mediums to deepen my inner journey since 1993.
in 2001 I bought my first ney and studied metaphysics of breath and sound through Sufi music.
In 2016 I made my first jinashi, since than I felt a deep attraction to the sound of bamboo. Made hundreds of jinashi, experimented with traditional and modern tuning, made hybrids that I called ‘shakuney’.

Name of the making dojo: 本音尺八　Hon-on Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi, Edo-style komuso shakuhachi for playing Honkyoku
(Myoan-ryu, Kinpu-ryu, etc.)

Selling shakuhachi since: 2015

Location: Aomori, Japan.

Address/website: www.hon-on.com 本音尺八　Hon-on Shakuhachi

Email: http://www.hon-on.com Please use contact form on website

Biography: Shakuhachi and Zen played a big part in my own faith journey. They helped me learn to listen during prayer, and to approach life with trust instead of fear, embracing mystery and being content even when understanding doesn’t come.

I appreciate the more introverted and personal nature of older shakuhachi, as opposed to the more performance-friendly construction of modern jinashi and jiari flutes. I began exploring how to make shakuhachi that lend themselves better to meditation and prayer in 2012. After studying older techniques (and visiting the new as well) with many different teachers, and a good deal of experimentation, I finally arrived at something that I really like.

As for credentials, for whatever they’re worth: I have been playing shakuhachi since 1999, and hold kaiden (Myoan license) from Suiko Takahashi, who also got me started on making shakuhachi. I teach Myoan-ryu and Kinpu-ryu via skype and in person here in Hirosaki, and have also been speaking and holding seminars / concerts in the US and here in Japan to expose people to the meditative side of shakuhachi since 2005.

Name of the making dojo: Jessyflauti

Type of shakuhachi made: jinashi shakuhachi (1.8 – 2.4, or customers’ order)

Selling shakuhachi since: 2002

Location: Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Address/website: www.jessyflauti.webs.com

Email: jessyflauti@gmail.com

Biography: I am a sculptor and a flute player. I started to make shakuhachi simply because I wanted to play one and it was too expensive for me to buy one. Initially I started to build them for friends and afterwards I began selling them.
I also make other flutes like Bansuri, Nay, Native American flutes and others. Flute is my infinite passion.

Name of the making dojo:

Type of shakuhachi made: Bamboo and wooden of any length.
Six and seven hole and Celtic for those wonderful Irish melodies.

Selling shakuhachi since: 1977

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Address/website: www.shakuhachi.com.au

Email: dbshak@gmail.com

Biography: I have made over 1000 shakuhachi in 35 years and sent them to 34 countries. Only two have been returned and these have been damaged. Self taught over a long period of time, but much advice given by very good players. Riley Lee is my teacher and without his help it would have been impossible.
My aim in making a shakuhachi is function and beauty. It has to look great and do everything required of a shakuhachi. Wooden flutes are guaranteed against cracking. I have used over 100 varieties of timber and found no change in accoustic qualities.

Name of the making dojo: Valle con Palmeras

Type of shakuhachi made: Hochiku, shakuhachi ji-nashi nobekan, shakuhachi ji-ari

Selling shakuhachi since:

Location: El Palmar, Murcia, Spain

Address/website: www.shakuhachispain.blogspot.com

Email: reco1981@hotmail.com

Biography: I started making ethnic instruments from the age of 14; four years ago I discovered the shakuhachi, through classes Karate and Kobudo, Shaorin-Ryu style of Okinawa, so I started to make hocchiku of Arundo Donax and Phyllostaquys Nigra, Madake after; using synthetic lacquers; currently use natural resins and lacquers;and urushi also on request the hocchiku ji-nashi shakuhachi and nobekan I make without a prior order, but the flute ji-ari request only done as desired, from 1.6 to 3.1 shaku.

My work is 100% handmade, not use machinery, personal philosophical considerations; of course flutes plastic or PVC is strictly prohibited in my dojo!

My teacher was inspiring Watazumi-do, and I want to continue the tradition of Japanese bamboo flute, it will remain when we are gone!

Name of the making dojo: Rolling Cloud Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi one piece Shakuhachi from Madake and Black bamboos

Selling shakuhachi since: 2006

Location: Katikati, Aotearoa, New Zealand

Address/website: www.rolling-cloud.eol.nz

Email: tusciafalconer@kinect.co.nz

Biography: I am a predominately self-taught Shakuhachi maker who thanks many who have given me advice. I am also blind and this has meant my Shakuhachi have been made using methods that allow me to complete this task. I use two bamboo species that grow on my own property, ‘Black’, which is actually shades of green that change into shades of brown when dry. And ‘Madake’ which is a light tan when dry. The ‘Black’ Shakuhachi are generally a lighter weight than the ‘Madake’. Growing the bamboo myself allows me to observe the bamboo growth over the years required to obtain a culm useable for Shakuhachi.

My flutes are all ‘one-piece’ cut to end on a polished node. Many are matched to particular Keys but many also do not fit a Key, being simply tuned to themselves. I do not insert a Utaguchi but shape and polish the bamboo with a shallow edge.
After completion the bamboo is oiled with walnut oil and cured. My general range is 1.6 to 2.4 shaku.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Self taught

Name of the making dojo: Atelier Chikudo

Type of shakuhachi made: Straight bamboo student shakuhachi,
Ji-nashi shakuhachi self harvested.

Selling shakuhachi since: 2009 (making flutes since 2003)

Location: Figeac, France

Address/website: www.chikudo-bamboo-flutes

Email: atelier-chikudo[at]no-log.org

Biography: After 10 years of different bamboo flutes making and shakuhachi since 2009, I decided in 2014 to center my work on just a few instruments in which shakuhachi is the one I am dedicated to.
It’s a long and humble way to learn how to make good shakuhachi; Like the process of harvesting, curing and turning a piece of bamboo into such a rich musical and spiritual instrument.
This is my path : Chikudo – the bamboo way

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Monty Levenson

Name of the making dojo: Hosetsu Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: Introductory level shakuhachi, diatonic & other alternative scale shakuhachi, cylindrical and conical bore Enhanced Resonance flutes and Jinashi root ends

Selling shakuhachi since: I started my own business in 2006
but I had been making shakuhachi for over a decade before that.

Location: Celo, NC USA

Address/website: www.zenbambooflutes.com

Email: info@zenbambooflutes.com

Biography: In 1995, I began an extensive apprenticeship with master flute maker Monty Levenson of Tai Hei Shakuhachi. I branched off on my own and opened Hosetsu Shakuhachi in 2006 with encouragement from Monty. I now live near Celo, NC where bamboo grows wild and I am able to work with the flute from harvesting the bamboo to the final polish.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Miura Ryuho & self-study

Name of the making dojo: Shakuhachi Atelier TK

Type of shakuhachi made: ji-ari shakuhachi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2018

Location: London, UK & Paris, France

Address/website: www.shakuhachi-atelier.com

Email: info@hakuhachi-atelier.com

Biography: Knaub first discovered the shakuhachi when encountering two Japanese musicians in India in 1990 and was fascinated by its sound and sonic versatility. Being curious about the seemingly simple construction of the instrument, he researched the making aspect of the instrument from early on, as well as attending making workshops with Kodama Hiroyuki (2011), and John Kaizan Neptune (2013).

In recent years he intensified his research and recently spent time in Japan with the master maker Miura Ryuho to study and deepen his knowledge about jiari shakuhachi making further.

Knaub hand selects his madake bamboo in Japan and crafts quality shakuhachi using original materials and an approach based on traditional making techniques. He also explores uses of alternative materials, eg. french bamboo and pvc materials in his workshop.

Name of the making dojo: Josen Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: jinashi and jimori shakuhachi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2005

Location: Toulouse, Paris

Address/website: https://josenshakuhachi.com

Email: flutedojo@gmail.com

Biography: It’s been my great joy to be a full-time shakuhachi teacher and craftsperson for over twenty years and counting. I hold the title of Dai Shihan or ‘Grandmaster’ of the shakuhachi school Senryu Kai, given to me by Justin Senryu Williams. I practice Zen Buddhism, both of which I will cultivate for the rest of my life. (You might be familiar with my previous works, The Bell Shakuhachi and my book, Your Shakuhachi Journey.)

Name of the making dojo:

Type of shakuhachi made:

Selling shakuhachi since:

Location:

Address/website: www.mujitsu.com

Email: emptyflute@mujitsu.com

Biography:

Name of the making dojo: BAmboo Temple

Type of shakuhachi made: Hocchiku, Zentaku

Selling shakuhachi since: 2003

Location: Knyazevo village, Sebezh region, Russia

Address/website: www.bambooway.ru (english), www.zentaku.ru (russian)

Email: bambooway.ru@gmail.com

Biography: As it was said about one of characters from a well-known fairy-tale about The Moomins, if I am not mistaken, it is Snufkin “no one knows where and when he was born, but the harmonica was always with him”. As for me, everything is the same, only the instrument differs, in my case it is flutes. Speaking seriously, of course I learnt and am continuing to learn from many people, masters. However, they are not all Shakuhachi masters, they may be absolutely various people, and not only people…I consider Georgy Mnatsakanov and Dmitry Kalinin, best Shakuhachi and Hocchiku players in Russia to be my teachers.

The main important thing is the process of instrument creation and everything which is connected with it. It is always something new, fresh, and unexpected.

Name of the making dojo: Tai Hei Shakuhachi Flutes

Type of shakuhachi made: Jiari, Jinashi, Shakulute

Selling shakuhachi since: 1970

Location: Willits, California USA

Address/website: www.shakuhachi.com
jinashi.com
shakulute.com (Shakuhachi Headjoint for the Silver Flute)
FluteSaver.com

Email: monty@shakuhachi.com

Biography: Tai Hei Shakuhachi are made by Monty H. Levenson who maintains workshops at his home in the hills of Mendocino County, California as well as in Japan at the small farming village of Kitagawa (Tokushima Prefecture) on Shikoku Island. Monty has been making shakuhachi continuously since 1970 and has produced over 7,500 instruments to date.

In 1984, Monty developed the precision cast bore technology which enabled him to create affordable, high-quality shakuhachi made of bamboo. Tai Hei Shakuhachi are now being used by traditional teachers in Japan for their students and professional musicians worldwide as their personal instruments.

Since it’s inception twenty-five years ago, the precision cast bore technology has been widely emulated by makers throughout the world. In 1992, Monty trained the master craftsman Masuda Shuho in this process and helped to retool his workshop in Kawasaki, Japan. This partnership was cut short by Masuda’s untimely passing in 2000.

While self-taught as a maker, Monty Levenson has collaborated extensively with many prominent players and craftsmen. He works closely with John Kaizan Neptune whose pioneering research into the acoustical physics of the shakuhachi has been incorporated into the precision cast bore and jinashi flutes he makes. Monty has also learned all aspects of harvesting and curing madaké bamboo from Nakamura Ginetsu who has been making shakuhachi in Osaka for over 40 years and is an authority on the subject. He has also teamed up with Roderic Cameron, one of the world’s premiere makers of European Baroque flutes, to develop technologies related to the replication of historical and modern instruments. These endeavors have resulted in a unique laser tracking lathe as well as a computer interface for measuring interior bore profiles with the utmost accuracy.

2002 witnessed a number of breakthroughs at Tai Hei Shakuhachi including the manufacture of jinashikan – long, natural bore instruments – and the Shakulute or shakuhachi headjoint for the silver flute.

In 2004, Tai Hei Shakuhachi Publishing was officially launched with the aim of preserving and expanding access to information outside of Japan on shakuhachi craft work and the honkyoku tradition. Several books, CDs and videos are currently available.

Name of the making dojo: Tabi shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: Wooden and bamboo cast bore

Selling shakuhachi since: 2008

Location: Byron Bay, Australia

Address/website: facebook.com/tabishakuhachi/, www.jessemoore.com.au

Email: jesse@tabishakuhachi.com

Biography:

Name of the making dojo: Kamogawa Dome

Type of shakuhachi made: All kinds

Selling shakuhachi since: 1980

Location: Kamogawa, Chiba-ken, Japan

Address/website: www.jneptune.com

Email: jneptune@awa.or.jp

Biography: John Kaizan Neptune brings to the shakuhachi (bamboo flute) a new and dynamic sound and feeling entirely his own. A California-born American, Neptune received his master’s certificate in the Tozan School of Shakuhachi in 1977, at which time he was awarded the name “Kaizan” (“Sea Mountain”).

He is the author of the book SHAKUHACHI, and has performed and recorded in many countries around the world. His second album, BAMBOO, was named Outstanding Record of the Year by the Cultural Affairs Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Education; subsequent albums (23 to date [Jan 2013]) and his concerts throughout Japan, Asia, Australia, America, and Europe have made his original music, from traditional Japanese to contemporary jazz, widely know and loved by people of all ages.

Neptune, who is acknowledged to be among the top masters of the instrument in Japan, now lives in Kamogawa, Chiba-ken, where he continues to make, write for and experiment with the instrument he had adopted as his own.

Name of the making dojo: Rankuu Shakuhachi Works / 藍空尺八工房

Type of shakuhachi made: Kinko,Tozan and Jinashi / 琴古,都山,地無し

Selling shakuhachi since: 1999

Location: 589 Hiyama, Hitachioomiya-shi, Ibaraki-ken

Address/website: www.rankuu.com, http://rankuu.com/

Email: mail@rankuu.com

Biography: My Shakuhachi name “Rankuu” means “deep blue sky”. I saw it in Tibet in 1994 when I was traveling in Asia and I was very impressed by deep silence with vivid blue sky. Shakuhachi’s sound is also something like that for me.

My Shakuhachi teachers are, Kinko style from Ichiro Seki, Myoan and Kinpu style from Kougetsu Maekawa. I graduated from The 46th N.H.K Japanese musical player training school.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Self taught

Name of the making dojo: Oshima Bamboo School

Type of shakuhachi made: Fuke

Selling shakuhachi since: 2004

Location: Hendersonville, North Carolina USA

Address/website: www.oshimabambooschool.com, www.haikubamboonursery.net

Email: keijioshima@yahoo.com

Biography:

Name of the making dojo: L’atelier du bambou

Type of shakuhachi made: Ji-nashi and ji-nori nobekan (1.1 to 3.6),
kaval-shakuhachi (ten-holes chromatic C shakuhachi),
shakuhaflute (bamboo joint for transverse flute)

Selling shakuhachi since: 2013

Location: Villeurbanne/Lyon, France

Address/website: bamboushakuhachi.blog4ever.com

Email: bamboushakuhachi@yahoo.fr

Biography: New maker, I have discovered the making process with John Kaizan Neptune sensei in August 2013 at the ESS Summer School in Barcelona. So I began to make my own shakuhachi in September 2013. I harvest and choose good bamboo by myself to transform into an instrument: …and will continue to study in future with other maker’s sensei.
I am very interested in ji-nashis of different size and looking for new way for European makers:
– since winter 2013 I am harvesting and curing my own bamboo in France …and import from China pcs in complimentary
– I have tested and used non-toxic and bio laquer so I began slowly ji work on some of my superior model Ji-noris
– I have created hybrid instrument between shakuhachi/xiao and kaval with 9 or 10 holes I’ve
named kaval-shakuhachi: it’s total chromatic C flute.
– I have also tested different bamboo object as stand, whistle, bambooneck etc…
– Price are between 100 € -simple pole ji-nashi to 500€ for best Ji-nori

Trained in shakuhachi making by: I made researches with books and gathered and analyzed old
to modern shakuhachi including those made by Takahashi Kûzan.

Name of the making dojo: Kyorei Dôjô

Type of shakuhachi made: Kyûhanwari Jinashi Shakuhachi
Towari Jinashi Shakuhachi, Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi

Selling shakuhachi since: 1997

Location: Paris, France

Address/website: www.fuke-shakuhachi.com

Email: ranzan88@gmail.com

Biography: An expert in different martial arts he is practicing since his childhood,
Ôno Ranzan is the first and only non-Japanese who has received the title of Zen Grand Master of the Fuke-shû Shakuhachi (普化宗尺八看主). He raises awareness of the Shakuhachi of the orthodox school by performing recitals and lectures and is teaching his art in Japan and Europe.

Perfectly bilingual in Japanese, he is also carrying out researches on the history of the Fuke Shakuhachi, and has published a thesis about the Great Fuke Sect, its history, philosophy, and musical principals.

At the same time, he is making Jinashi Shakuhachi and Hitoyogiri flutes following old and traditional methods. Besides Shakuhachi, Ôno Ranzan is also a renown player of Hitoyogiri.

Name of the making dojo: Dojo ChikuShin-Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: jiari and jinashi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2000

Location: Santa Susanna California USA

Address/website: www.chikushinshakuhachi.com

Email: Shawn Schroeder

Biography: Shawn began to study the art of making Shakuhachi in 2000. He immersed  himself in learning the craftsmanship needed to make Shakuhachi. Shawn followed his passion for Shakuhachi by studying and learning to master the art of Shakuhachi making. Shawn has studied with Shakuhachi sensei Kaoru Kakizaki. Shawn has also traveled to Japan many times throughout the years to further develop his craftsmanship and Shakuhachi making techniques and skills. Shawn has developed mentorships with sensei’s Takahashi Toyomi, sensei John Kaizen Neptune, Monty Levenson, Tom Deaver, and Shingo Kimura. When making Shakuhachi, Shawn’s goals is to craft Shakuhachi as it would be made traditionally in Japan, and to  maintain the historical techniques used when making Shakuhachi. Shawn has been able to accomplish this by lessons he’s had in Japan, and times he’s spent working with top makers while in Japan. Traditionally, the old-style of traditional Japanese made Shakuhachi has been a well kept secret within a makers lineage, however Shawn has been very fortunate to have people willing to teach him and share their techniques and information with him. This has enabled Shawn to make very high-quality professional level jiari and jinashi Shakuhachi.

Name of the making dojo: The Ji-nashi NobeKan Kobo by Dan Art Project

Type of shakuhachi made: Zen shakuhachi, Hitoyogiri, Miyogiri and
Gagaku shakuhachi as well as of Fuke sect

Selling shakuhachi since: 2003

Location: 2411 Kamiongata-machi Hachiouji-si, Tokyo 192-0156, Japan

Address/website: dan-art/khobo.html

Email: Dan Shinku

Biography: The kobo which Dan Shinku is the representative is making a specialty of Ji-nashi Nobekan. Hitoyogiri, Miyogiri and Gagaku shakuhachi as well as Fuke sect of Zen shakuhachi are made.
The arts are all made in Japan not only the materials such as Bamboos, Lacquers and Antlers but also the tools. Ji-nashi Nobekans which own the hot, strong and high qualities are indispensable to play making the most use of it.
The arts in Kobo Dan Shinku, the player of Classics as well produces are all recorded in CDs or DVDs as the model performance. You can get the superb CDs or DVDs by free of charge if you bought the shakuhachi.

Name of the making dojo: Ishi Koke

Type of shakuhachi made: Jiari and Jinashi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2006

Location: Vera Cruz, Brazil

Address/website: musgodapedra.wix.com/musgodapedra

Email: musgodapedra@gmail.com

Biography: Ishi Koke shakuhachi are made in Brazil, more precisely in the extreme south. Using local and imported material, our aim is to make shakuhachi capable for the traditional japanese and modern music. Ishi Koke means Stone Moss, or Musgo da Pedra in portuguese.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Ejun Lechika

Name of the making dojo: Un Ryū

Type of shakuhachi made: jinashi shakuhachi

Selling shakuhachi since: –

Location: Kiev, Ukraine

Address/website: Un Ryu Shakuhachi

Email: vladimirlazutkin.wind@yandex.ua

Biography: 
I practice making shakuhachi – It’s a separate practice than playing for me. It’s my poetry of the wind.) My teacher is Ejun Lechika. Ejun Lechika Rinzai Zen monk is a certified teacher of the Meian (Myoan).

When he was teaching me to play shakuhachi, he told me that a real komuso must create his own flute with his own hands. And the time came. I began to make shakuhachi listening to his advice. Making a flute for me is not simply making a flute. I listen to birds singing … I listen to the wind. I say a prayer so that my flute can open its heart to a person listening to it or practising it and I thank Buddha that helped me create this flute…

My buddhist name is Un Ryuu (雲龍). This name was given to me by my teacher when he was giving me rakusu. I live in the city of Kiev in Ukraine.

Name of the making dojo: Inga Shakuhachi

Type of shakuhachi made: Jiari, Kinko

Selling shakuhachi since: 2007

Location: San Marcos, California, USA

Address/website: www.hollowbamboo.net

Email: dvc@hollowbamboo.net

Biography: Only a handful of shakuhachi made per year, predominantly Kinko jiari, with some restorations of vintage instruments done on occasion. Most are for personal use, though various shakuhachi are frequently offered for sale.

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2008

Location: Madrid, Spain

Address/website: coming soon

Email: josevarz@gmail.com

Biography: Being a professional musician and guitar player since 1982, I first encountered the shakuhachi in 2004 and took lessons with Antonio Enzan Olías in Madrid for some years.

About the same time, I began making shakuhachi and in 2008 and 2009, I travelled to Japan and participated in the jinashi making workshops directed by John Kaizan Neptune at Mejiro, Tokyo and received making lessons from Chiku Za, at his home in Nagano mountains. I also took playing lessons with Tanaka Koumei, Atsuya Okuda, and Chiku Za.

After my first travel to Japan, I made some jinashi flutes for Antonio Olías and since then I have been selling flutes regularly. In 2010, I went to Japan again, and also received playing lessons from Etsuzan Fujiyoshi, and Justin Senryu Williams.

I organized the first jinashi shakuhachi making workshop in Madrid, directed by Chiku Za and assisted him in a workshop at the ESS Shakuhachi Summer School in London 2011, and at another workshop in Madrid in 2012. At the ESS Summer School in Barcelona in 2013, I organized the making workshops directed by John Neptune and helped teaching the basic construction techniques.

I only make jinashi flutes and my approach to flute making is very open, trying to find every bamboo’s particular voice. I specialise in making long flutes for normal or even small hands, and lately I am also interested in making very small flutes making which is great fun.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Araki Kodo V, various others.
Authorised by Yokoyama Katsuta, Furuya Teruo and Araki Kodo V.

Name of the making dojo: Senryu Dojo

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi and jinuri, all lengths.
Old style tone colour resulting from years of researching antique shakuhachi.

Selling shakuhachi since: 2007

Location: London, England

Address/website: www.senryushakuhachi.com

Email: Please see www.senryushakuhachi.com

Biography: Justin Senryu lived in Japan from 2005 studying shakuhachi making and playing intensively for 6 years. He received his first Shihan and authorisation as a professional maker from Yokoyama Katsuya and Furuya Teruo in 2007; and his second Shihan from Araki Kodo V, the head teacher of Kinko Ryu, who also awarded him the prestigious makers’ stamp ‘Kodo-sen’ (‘chosen by Kodo’). These teachers, as well as Iwata Seien VI (one of the foremost players of jinashi shakuhachi) have been invaluable to Justin’s shakuhachi making, both in terms of requirements as professional players, as well as subtleties of tone colour.

Justin has extensive knowledge of historic shakuhachi, having traveled across Japan examining and playing some of the finest instruments dating back several centuries; been commissioned to restore numerous antique shakuhachi dating back 270 years; and regularly playing the instruments in his personal collection.

Justin combines his study of shakuhachi making from his teachers with his detailed knowledge of historic instruments, and his study of urushi under makie master Araki Mitsunobu. He makes ji-ari (a.k.a jinuri) shakuhachi primarily following the style of Araki Kodo III, and jinashi shakuhachi primarily following makers such as Araki Chikuo (Ichigetsu-ji temple) and Murase Chikuo (Fudaiji- temple).

Name of the making dojo: Shakuhachi Studio Shingetsu / 尺八工房　心月

Type of shakuhachi made: Kinko, Tozan, Myouan,Jinashi-kan / 琴古、都山、明暗、地無し管

Selling shakuhachi since: 1986 (Ascetic practices with Chikusen Tamai 1980~1986) / 1986 独立　（1980~1986玉井竹仙師の下で修業）

Location: 1-12-7 Sakyou, Nara-city, NARA / 奈良市左京1-12-7

Address/website: www.eonet.ne.jp/~shakuhachi

Email: shakuhachi@nike.eonet.ne.jp

Biography:

Name of the making dojo: Yung Flutes

Type of shakuhachi made: All styles of professional instruments

Selling shakuhachi since: 1994

Location: New York City, USA

Address/website: wwww.yungflutes.com

Email: perry@yungflutes.com

Biography: In 2002 Perry received the Japan/US Friendship Commission Arts Fellowship (funded by The International House of Japan and the National Endowment for the Arts) enabling him to travel and study traditional shakuhachi crafting and playing in Japan. His main sensei is Kinya Sogawa in the both the Jiari instrument lineage of Chikusen Tamai and Jinashi/Hochiku style of Watazumi. He performs all aspects of professional shakuhachi work – commission, restorations, repairs and customization on existing instruments.

Perry has taught shakuhachi making workshops at shakuhachi camps and colleges and universities throughout the United States. He is the resident shakuhachi making teacher a Zen Mountain Monastery (Mountains and Rivers Order) and Fire Lotus Temple.

Shakuhachi teachers: Jin Nyodo Kinko style under Keisuki Zenyoji, Chikumeisha Kinko under Christopher Blasdel (Goro Yamaguchi), contemporary techniques with Akikazu Nakamura (Katsuya Yokoyama, Berklee College), Taizan Ha Myoan with Nancy Beckman (Fukumoto Kansai Kyoan,Yoshimura sôshin Fuan). He also studied the Chikuho notation system with Riley Lee. Perry has been studying with Ralph Samuelson since returning to the States in 2003 and continues to share the shakuhachi on the theatrical stage, film and television.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: Murai Eigorō

Name of the making dojo: Chiku Za

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2000

Location: Nagano, Japan

Address/website: –

Email: ban-noku@f2.dion.ne.jp

Biography: One interesting aspect of jinashi shakuhachi is that it doesn’t always come out as you intended. Due to the depth of each single note, the delicate and manifold expressions in konten honkyoku, the jinashi shakuhachi is a just like a mandala of sound. I walk on this way by visiting the bamboo all night by enquiring and listening to what the bamboo tells me. I take each step while befriending the bamboo.

Trained in shakuhachi making by: self-taught maker of jinashi shakuhachi
using local Columbian bamboo stock

Name of the making dojo: Shinken Dojo Shakuhachi Colombia

Type of shakuhachi made: Jinashi

Selling shakuhachi since: 2014

Location: Cartagena, Colombia

Address/website: shinkendojocolombia.blogspot
facebook/shakuhachicolombia

Email: ricardozapataluna@gmail.com

Biography: Ricardo Zapata was born in Cartagena de Indias in 1974. He has a martial arts master titled of Shidoshi (Warrior and Master of the Way) and is a fully licensed teacher trained in the arts of Bujinkan, the official Japanese organisation of the Grand Master Masaaki Hatsumi.
Zapata is the author of the book Ninja, Blade under Heart published in USA in two languages in the year 2008. The book is dedicated to his experience in the martial arts and the philosophy of life.
He is specialist in educational management, a professional musician, graphic designer, artist and shakuhachi craftsman and the director of the school of martial arts Shinken Dojo, where he teaches the art of Shakuhachi (Zen flute) to his students.
He led the first workshop ‘Introduction to Shakuhachi’ in Bogota D.C. Colombia in 2015 at the Soto Zen School and Zen community in Colombia. Additionally he gives courses for study in martial arts, meditation and music in Cartagena and nationwide through his School of Divine Sword. 

Master Zapata creates a colombian zen flute version, made with selected local bamboo, for playing the original songs of the komuso monks (honkyoku) or popular music (gaikyoku) with a beautiful and very professional sound and gives the possibility of access to people who love this instrument and the zen music.