-SHAKUHACHI HISTORY-

Japan’s iconic wind instrument, the Shakuhachi became popular during the Edo period (1615–1868) among the wandering komusō monks of Japan and was considered more of a tool for meditation than a musical instrument. 

During this period, Shakuhachi  were most played by the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhist monks, known as komusō ("priests of nothingness" or "emptiness monks"), who used the Shakuhachi as a spiritual tool. The komusō wore large baskets over their heads to symbolize their detachment from the world. 

Also known as priests (komusō) would play the Shakuhachi bamboo flute as a form of meditation called suizen ("blowing Zen") & consists  of playing the traditional Japanese Shakuhachi as a means of understanding reality (as it is).  The practice of suizen may be understood in the context of both ancient Buddhist and Chinese cultures which used awareness of sound as a medium of enlightenment. 

Shakuhachi music comes from an ancient practice of solo pieces played called honkyoku. During meditation  these are traditionally played for personal spiritual practice.

Fuke monks rarely chanted sutras or text, but rather relied upon scores of sacred shakuhachi music of Honkyoku ("fundamental pieces"). These pieces were played during meditative practice.