The Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi Resurrected From the Dead
A traditional document explaining how to play hitoyogiri, pictured two samurai playing hitoyogiri and one listening.
It is spring 1590 and Yayoi, “Hibernating insects emerge” (march 6th to 10th). Toyotomi Hideyoshi in just a few months is set to take over the Late Hōjō clan in the siege of Odawara in the Kantō region, completing the re-unification of Japan. Soon after that, he will be working his way over to Osaka Castle for its inevitable takeover in just a few years to come, 1592.
As the sun began to set over the horizon on this spring evening, casting vibrant hues of orange and pink across the sky, the tranquil ambiance of the beach called out to the passersby samurai of Hideyoshi. A gentle breeze danced through the air, carrying with it the salty aroma of the ocean and the distant sounds of laughter and waves crashing against the shore. A sense of serenity enveloped the scene, slowing down the frantic pace of everyday life and inviting those who strolled along the water's edge to pause and embrace the beauty of this moment.
The rhythmic ebb and flow of the sea seemed to mirror the pulse of life itself. With every wave that crashed against the shore, worries washed away and burdens dissolved into the vastness of the ocean. The sand, soft beneath barefoot, served as a reminder of the unending cycle of renewal. Footprints vanished swiftly into oblivion, merging with the countless impressions that had come before and those that would follow. At this moment, the samurai sits on a dry washed-up log on the shore, and taking out his hityogiri played his favorite springtime melody, takane. While embracing each passing note he reflected in his Kokoro (mind, heart, and soul) the impermanence of life and basking in its wonder.
3D Printed hitoyogiri, designed and made by master craftsman, Nick Bellando. Available for purchase at the Renzoh studio store.
The Genesis of this Project
The hitoyogiri (see picture to left) is the predecessor to the shakuhachi, it even used to be called just shakuhachi. And the Hitoyogiri was a beloved instrument in the 1500s and prior. Its main musicians were samurais and monks. By the 1600s the hitoyogiri had already been losing popularity due to its inability to keep up with the musical developments of the Edo era. Many artists tried to keep it going and revitalize its once-adored melodies throughout the 1600s and 1700s but by the 1900s it was completely obsolete and it was extinct. But the story doesn’t end there, the hityogiri much like the phoenix it represents in its melodies which dance between ritsu and ryo (traditional Japanese scales) has resurrected due to the valiant works of Nick Bellando
My dear friend Nick Bellando has spent years of dedicated research rediscovering these classic melodies and bringing them back to the modern world which is in desperate need to reconnect with the soul and nature. First the process of discovering:
Nick has spent countless hours over period documents discovering the playing techniques and meanings of the classic notation (see picture above and below). The main bulk of work was translating, in many cases very vague descriptions of how to read and play hitoyogiri manuals. The reason why these Edo manuals are so vague is because they come with a damning presupposition, that one already knows the basics of Japanese music theory and hitoyogiri!
So what was the solution?
In addition to these translations, there is a small body of academic work on the hitoyogiri that deals mainly with construction but every once in a while, a note on performance styles. Collecting all of the primary and secondary resources documents ranging from 1603 to the 1800s and a few contemporary scholastic works, the melodies became clearer and clearer.
Then to solidify and standardize some of the written techniques, Nick reached out to me (Shawn) to confirm with techniques that are found in shomyo which I did intensive study and research in. Finding the patterns and techniques shared among the two genres of music were quite easy, in many cases they bore the same name!
Together, going through the over 80 scores we have confidently been able to say what many techniques are and more important what they ARE NOT!
Okay that’s great Shawn, now where is my hitoyogiri?
Okay Okay, hold your horses. I am getting there. First off the course and its material.
We are joined by Nick Bellando who has been reviving the ancient melodies of Hitoyogiri. The course will be a group lesson setting every week. The course will take place over three months in the spring of 2024. We will meet every week for a one-hour-long lesson. There will be one-morning time class (Japan Time) and one evening Course (Japan Time) both covering the same materials. Each lesson will also be recorded and can be watched back at a later time, in case you miss one or forget some of the materials mentioned in the course.
Official dates
February 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 10 am and 8 pm
March 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 10 am and 8 pm
April 1, 8, 15, and 22, at 10 am and 8 pm
One monk (teaching) and two samurai playing hitoyogiri. On the left side of the page, traditional notation of hitoyogiri melodies.
Q: What if I can’t make those times?
Are you worried about missing out on valuable lessons due to conflicting schedules? Don't fret! We understand the importance of flexibility in today's fast-paced world. That's why we have made it a priority to record all our lessons, ensuring that you can access them at your convenience.
We believe that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their busy routines. By offering recorded lessons, we aim to provide you with the flexibility to learn at your own pace. Whether you have professional commitments or personal responsibilities, you no longer have to worry about missing out on vital knowledge.
Our dedicated team is committed to capturing every lesson in high-quality recordings, ensuring that you receive the same immersive experience as those attending the live sessions. You can trust us to deliver the content in a format that is easily accessible and user-friendly, empowering you to learn at your convenience.
To access the recorded lessons, access the google drive link sent to you after each session. There, you will find a comprehensive library of past lessons, sorted by date and topic. With just a few clicks, you can dive into the wealth of knowledge our courses offer, even if you couldn't attend the live sessions.
Moreover, we encourage interaction and participation even if you watch the recorded lessons. Engaging with your fellow students and instructors is vital to your growth and development. Therefore, we have incorporated discussion boards and forums on our online platform, where you can connect with your peers and ask questions about the recorded material.
The Materials
We will be using a collection of Edo manuals and score books as our primary resources for teaching Hitoyogiri. One major problem is that no one has been seriously playing hitoyogiri in the classical style for over 100 years! It has been very difficult to grasp an understanding of how the music is to be played because all of the manuals assume that you are already studying with a teacher. So Nick and Shawn have joined forces with their combined shakuhachi skills and shomyo knowledge to develop a systematic approach to understanding and reviving these ancient melodies. Books and materials will be provided for students before lessons which are included in the cost of the course.
The Cost
The Cost of the 3-month course is $500 dollars. This gives you access to…
The ancient characters “the monkey cries” done in 24k gold.
12 lessons, the book materials
a discord private community where all things hitoyogiri can be discussed
free online practice rooms with fellow hitoyogiri learners
Question and answer portions at the end of each lesson.
The Hitoyogiri For Purchase
HITOYOGIRI OSHIKI PROFESSIONAL 3D PRINTED
$450.00
This is the hitoyogiri Shakuhachi flute that goes along with the hitoyogiri course. It was designed and 3D printed by master artisan, Nick Bellando. It was designed after bamboo and is tuned in the ancient (traditional) style. The resin is Biocompatible. The gold “makie” is real 24k gold and reads “The Monkey Cries.” It is titled The Monkey Cries due to the mythological story found in a 16th-century document called the Taigensho where a group of people found enlightenment in a Golden Monkey living in the mountains. One day the monkey was killed by a neighboring leader and mourning the loss of the monkey, they dug up his bones. At that very moment, a gust of wind came by brushing over one of the monkeys bones, making a similar sound to its beautiful cry. Thus the hitoyogiri was born. The hitoyogiri also comes with a handmade bag made by Nick’s daughter #collegefund.
These hitoyogiri are lacquered with urushi, for urushi sensitive players, please message us through our contact page.
https://www.shawnheadmusic.com/store/hitoyogiri-oshiki-student-model
We hope you will join us on this new Hitoyogiri journey!
Sincerely,
Shawn Head, and Nick Bellando