The Oldest Shakuhachi in Japan, 1200 Years Ago

From the Shoso-in collection of Emperor Shomu, Nara.

Shakuhachi 1: Dimensions: L. 40.7, D. of mouthpiece 2.3.   Materials & Techniques: Madake (long-jointed bamboo).

Shakuhachi 2: Dimensions: L. 39.3, D. of mouthpiece 2.3.Materials & Techniques: Madake (long-jointed bamboo).

Shakuhachi 3: Dimensions: L. 35.1, D. of mouthpiece 2.3.Materials & Techniques: Ivory.

Shakuhachi 4 of carved stone: Dimensions: L. 35.9, D. of mouthpiece 2.4.  Materials & Techniques: Serpentine.

Shakuhachi 5 with engraved decoration: Dimensions: L. 43.7, D. of mouthpiece 2.3.  Materials & Techniques: Madake (long-jointed bamboo).

Shakuhachi 6 wound with kabanoki (birch tree) bark: Dimensions: L. 38.5, D. of mouthpiece 2.2. Materials & Techniques: Madake (long-jointed bamboo)

Shakuhachi 7: Dimensions: L. 38.2, D. of mouthpiece 2.3. Materials & Techniques: Madake (long-jointed bamboo).

Shakuhachi 8: Dimensions: L. 34.4, D. of mouthpiece 2.0. Materials & Techniques: Marble.

Larger Bamboo

Tsukamoto Returns

Tikusen

Také Ocean‏

Kaiyō  海洋 Ocean

 Take 竹 Bamboo

Mutake Now

2016

Komuso 1964

Postcard caption.

drift like clouds and flow like water

two komuso
wandering along -
billowing clouds

泉鏡花 Izumi Kyoka

Somabito 杣人 Forest Worker

When the forest workers go to the mountain forest for work, they take along a person skilled in Shakuhachi playing. They start after he has performed one melody.
This is because the 天狗 Tengu, who is the 山の神 "Deity of the Mountain", liked to hear Shakuhachi.

Komuso: Who Needs a Travel Permit?

Komuso Sightings

Komuso at Rest and Play

Komuso Mountain Path

Take It Slowly

The limited visibility of the tengai requires a concentrated awareness in a determined progress.  In the beginning a komuso may slip and injure his foot, requiring a sitting rest.  It may be hard to resist playing, though Takuhatsu is performed always standing.
In modern times even for the most adept, paths of motorized vehicles should be avoided.

Detailed Komuso Statue

An accurate representation of the accoutrements for traditional komuso.

Old Nara Komuso

Mutake of Nara

At Todaiji. The stairs lead to the Great Temple Bell.

Top of the Stairs

Top of the Stairs facing The Bell

Pictures from Myoanji