Shakuhachi Recital at Zac Baran

This (from the flyer) looks like it’s worth checking out:

Shakuhachi! Though everone knows its name, very few people have actually seen or heard the Japanese bamboo flute. From the thirteenth century, some unique monks of Fuke-shu, a Zen Buddhism sect, have treated shakuhachi as a spiritual tool and have played it, instead of chanting, for spiritual purposes. Their playing is called sui-zen, “blowing zen,” and today the pieces they play are called honkyoku or “original pieces”. The monks hid their faces with a unique basket called a tengai and walked around playing the shakuhachi begging for alms. They were called komuso, “empty monks,” and their image remains in our traditional memories even today…

…I believe the shakuhachi is an extremely eastern instrument. The shakuhachi musician can produce a natural sound and express delicate nuances. I have planned thsi recital in order to introduce listeners to the wonderful world of shakuhachi. I am planning to perform with a biwa player in thsi recital. I will perform not only traditional solo pieces, honkyoku,  but various styles of music including improvisations, jazz, and New Age music with some wonderful  guest artists, such as a pianist, an avant-garde guitarist and biwa player. (text by Koichi Yoshida)

秋の夜長の尺八リサイタル –  A Long Autumn Night Shakuhachi Recital
2008.11.5 (Wed) at Zac Baran
Doors open 18:00 Start 20:00　Tickets:￥1,000

Zac Baran is a legendary cafe/bar/music spot on the north side of Marutamachi a short walk east of Higashioji Dori. Here is a most convenient map. Tel: 075-751-9748