The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin is hosting two incredible cultural events this week, the first of which is its monthly culture salon. This month, the focus will be on the shakuhachi (Japanese end-blown bamboo flute). Shakuhachi player and teacher David Duncavage will be performing and presenting on this instrument.
While the doleful sounds of the shakuhachi are often heard in ensembles nowadays, the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhist monks originally refined this instrument to practice suizen (“blowing meditation”). Duncavage received his Shihan (independent Master’s license) in Zen meditation music after years of study in Kyoto, Japan.
Here’s a sample of someone playing the shakuhachi:
Tsuru no Sugomori from naha Jaja on Vimeo.
If you’re interested in checking out this free event, join JASGA at 7pm on November 2nd (yes, that’s tonight!) at Casa de Luz (1701 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX). For more information, go the official announcement on JASGA’s website.