In 1959, the great Japanologist and Ethnomusicologist William Malm once said about the hitoyogiri…

”It [Hitoyogiri] was used occasionally as an addition to lighter shamisen music such as kouta, but twentieth-century attempts to revive it have been isolated, 

and it seems unlikely that the hitoyogiri will ever come into general use again.” 

(Japanese Music and its Instruments, pg 153.)

Welcome to the Tairyu Shakuhachi official website! We are thrilled to announce our latest initiative aimed at promoting the beauty and artistry of traditional Japanese music: the Tairyu Shakuhachi Giveaway. This exciting event provides a unique opportunity for enthusiasts and newcomers alike to win a high-quality shakuhachi flute and delve into the world of this captivating instrument.

Read about some of the claims about the Komuso here.

As a performer, one of my great joys has always been playing new compositions written specifically for the shakuhachi. Exploring the shakuhachi’s capabilities within new settings is one of the best ways to expose new audiences to its distinctive voice, and to encourage more composers to include it in their tonal palette. 

Previously, I sponsored a project called 20-20 Bamboo, where I set out to record 20 new pieces in 2020. The result was the album 20-20 Bamboo, which was released in January of this year - you can check it out here.

So in that same vein, I’m pleased to announce that I’m in the final stages of a project with Dr. Talia Amar, from the Department of Music Theory, Composition, and Conducting at The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (JAMD). You can read about her, and the four up-and-coming composers working with her on this project, below.

Learn about a few historic shakuhachi players through story. I hope you enjoy the tale of Kaito, a young samurai who finds his passion in playing shakuhachi rather than in swordsmanship.

Learn how you can have a chance to win a free Yozan-mei Shakuhachi

Learn all about Shakuhachi hand health.

Learn about the hitoyogiri and its revival into the modern world.

Dear friends, music lovers, and cultural explorers! As you may know, I've been dedicated to shamisen for the past 20 years (among a bevvy of other instruments), and I'm thrilled to present to you an incredible and unique musical odyssey that I've poured my heart and soul into: Waves of Harmony - a groundbreaking 40-track shamisen fusion project that transcends the boundaries of genre, culture, and time. "Waves of Harmony" unites the unparalleled talents of dozens of virtuoso musicians, creating a symphony of breathtaking melodies and harmonious collaborations. I invite you to join us in bringing these albums to life while not only sharing our passion for the beautiful art of shamisen, but celebrating the incredible collaborative magic that only comes from the connection of generous, down-to-earth souls!

This is an English translation of the Japanese book on the Hirosaki Kinpu-ryu school of shakuhachi honkyoku, originally by Reigetsu Uchiyama. It includes a wealth of information on the school, including over 100 pages of scores from different branches of the school, including additional scores not found in the original.