Philosophy

At the heart of my work lies a simple belief:

The shakuhachi has served as a companion in that cultivation for more than thirty years.

Although often described as a musical instrument, the shakuhachi has traditionally been far more than a means of producing sound. For generations of practitioners, it has served as a vehicle for self-discovery, awareness, discipline, and personal transformation.

Its lessons begin with the breath.

The quality of our sound reflects the quality of our breathing, and the quality of our breathing often reflects the quality of our presence.

For this reason, the study of the shakuhachi has always been, for me, a study of far more than music.

Awareness, as I have come to understand it, is the ability to perceive clearly without rushing to judgment or reaction. It begins with noticing the breath, but gradually extends to every aspect of our lives. The more carefully we learn to observe, the more naturally harmony begins to emerge.

Throughout my life, I have explored breath through multiple disciplines.

In Shotokan Karate-Do, breath provides structure, timing, focus, stability, power, and relaxation. In shakuhachi, breath becomes tone, phrasing, resonance, texture, and silence.

While the outward forms may appear different, both reveal the same underlying truth:

Over time, I came to understand that the breath moving through the body and the breath moving through bamboo are not separate studies, but different expressions of the same search for harmony.

The instrument first reveals what is already present within us. From there, it invites us to cultivate what we are capable of becoming.

Yet the journey does not end there. Through years of practice, listening, and cultivation, we are given the opportunity to develop what is present, refine what is possible, and gradually move beyond limitations we once believed were fixed.

As our breathing becomes calmer and more efficient, we gradually begin to discover what I often describe as the residue of the breath. Rather than forcing sound through effort, we learn to work with the quiet breath that remains after unnecessary tension has disappeared. It is within this increasingly subtle breath that greater control, freedom, and expression begin to emerge.

In this sense, the study of the shakuhachi mirrors the study of life itself. We inherit the wisdom of our teachers and traditions, yet each generation is entrusted with the responsibility of carrying that understanding forward while discovering what lies beyond.

Bamboo possesses qualities that have long inspired admiration throughout Asia.

Its strength lies not in resistance, but in its ability to adapt. Perhaps for this reason, bamboo has often been regarded as a symbol of humility, perseverance, resilience, and harmony with nature.

The shakuhachi preserves this relationship. Unlike many modern instruments that seek uniformity, each piece of bamboo possesses its own character, its own shape, its own density, its own voice.

No two instruments are ever identical. Nor should they be.

The term ji-nashi literally means "without ji." Traditional ji refers to a clay-based mixture applied to the interior bore of many shakuhachi in order to create a highly refined and standardized internal shape.

A ji-nashi shakuhachi follows a different path. Rather than relying upon extensive internal filling, the natural character of the bamboo remains central to the instrument's voice and response.

This creates instruments that are highly individual, often revealing subtle variations in tone, texture, resonance, and expression.

For many practitioners, this individuality becomes part of the instrument's appeal.

I do not view the shakuhachi as an object. I view it as a companion.

Over the years, students and players have often asked what makes a good instrument. The answer is not always found in measurements, specifications, or appearance.

For this reason, each Chōmei Ji-Nashi Shakuhachi is created with the hope that it will accompany its future owner for many years, perhaps even a lifetime, before continuing its journey in the hands of future generations.