Shakuhachi – Musical Instruments of Japan

The shakuhachi (尺八) is undoubtedly Japan’s best-known wind instrument. Its name is due to the fact that it is “a shaku with eight sun ” (A ” Shaku ” was a measure of length used formerly in Japan, equivalent to 30.3 centimeters and a sun equaled 3.03 cm) The standard measure of a shakuhachi is almost 55 cm long.

Perhaps you would like to get a little ambient with the sound of the shakuhachi while reading this short article, so we recommend the following video for background music.

The practice of this instrument was introduced from China in the 7th century by a Japanese monk who learned it while there and brought it back to Japan on his return. It is made from the lowest section of the bamboo and has a diameter of 4-5 centimeters. The inside of the tube is practically cylindrical and its length varies depending on the intonation of the Koto and Shamisen ensemble with which it will play.

It has five pitch-shift holes, which are plugged or released with your fingers. Four in front and one in reverse, giving the next six tones in the standard form, re (closed), fa, sol, la, do, re, and by controlling the angle of the embouchure and lips, it is possible to obtain the 12 tones of “diatonic” tuning. The mouthpiece is made by cutting the tube diagonally towards the outside.

This type of embouchure allows the player to control the tuning by changing the angle, achieving a very subtle and delicate microtuning that is not possible in the western “baroque” flute due to its “whistling” embouchure.

In the following video you can see how a shakuhachi is built:

By the 7th century, the shakuhachi was part of the court music instrumentation (Gagaku). This lasted until the 9th century when it was removed from it.

During medieval times, the shakuhachi was widely recognized for its use in the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism, known as the komusō. It was introduced to this sect by Grand Master Hottô Kokushi and the monks adopted it as a spiritual tool. This music was known as honkyoku.

During the Meiji Restoration era, in 1868, the shogunate came to an end, and with it the Fuke sect, as it had many ties to the shogunate. For several years, musical performance with the shakuhachi was prohibited.

The honkyoku repertoire was known exclusively by the Fuke sect and its teaching was transmitted by repetition and practice, so much of it was lost along with many other important documents.

When the Meiji government allowed the use of the shakuhachi again, it was only as an accompanying instrument for the koto , shamisen , etc. It was not until much later that honkyoku music was allowed publicly as solo pieces.

Many schools were opened to continue the practice of the shakuhachi. With a great variety of styles, they contributed to enriching and developing the repertoire for this instrument. These same schools gave way to the emergence of new currents and styles.

A great more experimental interpretation of the shakuhachi

The sound of the shakuhachi is warm, sweet, the feel of the wood gives it a certain pure color, and it can be very dramatic with its extreme dynamic changes. Delicate changes in intonation and sudden changes in attack make it a very special instrument for the player and the audience.

If you would like to delve a little deeper into the subject, you can discover more about Traditional Japanese Music in our next video

And if you want you can have your own shakuhachi! We have several options available for you to buy in our store! Japanize your LIFE!