Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Komuso Schematics


















Modern Komuso


Fuké rings the Bell


Morimasa Horiuchi and the Myoanji Gong









Morimasa Horiuchi plays the Taizan-ha honkyoku Choshi to the accompaniment of the Myoanji Gong.  Originally used by the monks of the shakuhachi temple in Kyoto, the gong fell into disuse after a  ban of the komuso by the Myoanji government in the 1860's.  Its sound is heard again here after 150 years of silence.


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Spatial Awareness Breathing











































A samurai warrior (photo from Akikazu Nakamura) demonstrating proper body positioning for "missoku", or shakuhachi esoteric breathing.  According to Nakamura, lower the pelvis, while expanding the abdomen, then inhale and exhale. By keeping the body still, one's spatial awareness and five senses are heightened and increased. Wearing loose-fitting robes/clothes/kimono helps in this matter.