About the Shakuhachi
The shakuhachi (尺八),
is a Japanese end-blown flute. It was originally introduced from China
into Japan around the 16th century.
The Shakuhachi is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in
synthetics and woods.
It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (吹禅),
(blowing meditation).
is a Japanese end-blown flute. It was originally introduced from China
into Japan around the 16th century.
The Shakuhachi is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in
synthetics and woods.
It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (吹禅),
(blowing meditation).
Suizen
The streets of cities and villages of medeaval Japan were accustomed to the sight of a Buddhist priest playing a bamboo flute with his head completely covered by a straw hat.
Komusō were Zen Buddhist monks who wandered about Japan playing the shakuhachi for both meditation and alms.
Fuke Zen came to Japan in the 13th Century.
Komusō belonged to the Fuke sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Fuke Zen comes from
the teachings of Linji Yixuan, a Zen teacher from China in the 9th Century. Fuke
however is the Japanese name for Puhua one of Linji’s peers and co-founders of
his sect. Puhua would walk around ringing a bell to summon others to
enlightenment. In Japan, it was thought the shakuhachi could serve this
purpose.
Komusō practiced Suizen, which is meditation through the blowing
of a shakuhachi, as opposed to Zazen, which is meditation through sitting as
practiced by most Zen followers.
Komusō were Zen Buddhist monks who wandered about Japan playing the shakuhachi for both meditation and alms.
Fuke Zen came to Japan in the 13th Century.
Komusō belonged to the Fuke sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Fuke Zen comes from
the teachings of Linji Yixuan, a Zen teacher from China in the 9th Century. Fuke
however is the Japanese name for Puhua one of Linji’s peers and co-founders of
his sect. Puhua would walk around ringing a bell to summon others to
enlightenment. In Japan, it was thought the shakuhachi could serve this
purpose.
Komusō practiced Suizen, which is meditation through the blowing
of a shakuhachi, as opposed to Zazen, which is meditation through sitting as
practiced by most Zen followers.