"Playing the music inside is what is important...from the place of silence. The illusive sound of shakuhachi...well there are so many. I tell my students that 100 different timbres are needed at least...don't throw out any sound as imperfect. All the sounds have their place in a piece you give to others. All sounds are part of the language of expressing the inner landscape. If you get to the illusive sound, that is great and necessary, but simpler sounds are also necessary to showcase the illusive ones."
- Mary Lu Brandwein, Shakuhachi teacher

PERFORMANCE ATTITUDE: How much younger are we getting? Why not play for others? What do we have to lose? Start with small open mike venues. Best to drop all you know about being safe in front of others...it is enough to simply let your true passion show in your playing.  When playing in front of a group, I feel that I have one real responsibility. It is to  listen to my heart and the vibrations and intentions  emitting from my flute. If the feelings and sounds are in integrity and in agreement with my feelings, and I'm doing the best I can, that is enough...you cannot and need not do better. This is always enough for our current stage. And it gets better as you go! You have to be willing to crawl, then walk, then run...soaring...and moments of greatness can happen right away as well!
- Gary Leatham
Ancient Sounds, Inc.

Links

"The bamboo or the tube is only half of the shakuhachi. The other half is the player's body, mind and breath. The character that is there will always come through in the sound. I have always said that if one is not in a process of learning not to harm oneself and others, that is a process of learning compassion in a deep way, while learning shakuhachi, then one isn't learning shakuhachi. Maybe one is learning how to play a bamboo flute, but not shakuhachi. That would be using the bamboo as an instrument, but not allowing it to teach oneself in the process. The whole point is learning from the bamboo, learning from the process. Together—bamboo, mind, body, breath—instrument of peace. If this is the process and my intention, then that will come out of the flute, no matter what material the flute is made of."
- Mary Lu Brandwein, Shakuhachi teacher

The Bamboo Way
The Bamboo Way. Website for Mary Lu Brandwein (Night Singing River).

Buddhism and Vegetarianism
Shabkar.Org is a non-profit website site dedicated to vegetarianism as a Buddhist way of life. The site takes its name from Shabkar Tsodruk Rangdrol (1781-1851), the great Tibetan yogi who espoused the ideals of vegetarianism.

Chikuzen Studios / Michael Gould
Lessons, workshops, performances, retreats and CDs from Michael Chikuzen Gould, shakuhachi performer and teacher.

Darek Van Choice
Darek is a shakuhachi maker and an artist. His site offers an excellent selection of shakuhachi links as well as his art.

Naljor Creations
The Heart of Dharma Collection - Exquisite thangka images of Buddhist deities and precious dharma teachings—presented on beautiful laminated cards. These sacred images and sublime dharma teachings are perfect for the altar, desk, or wall, and make excellent gifts for your dharma friends.

Naljor Prison Dharma Service
Your purchases on this Shakuhachi Yuu website greatly assist Naljor Prison Dharma Service (a nonprofit organization) in providing precious Buddhist dharma teachings, a 16-page Glossary of Buddhist Terms, and an excellent 28-page Resource Directory for Prisoners free of charge to men and women in prison and to prison outreach organizations throughout the United States.

Nyokai-An - Phil Nyokai James
Nyokai-An is the shakuhachi dojo of Phil Nyokai James, who teaches regularly in Boston and in Portland, Maine. Nyokai-An is the New England branch of Yoshio Kurahashi's Mujuan shakuhachi school.

Philip Gelb - Shakuhachi Player/Teacher
Philip Gelb is actively involved in 2 careers; as a shakuhachi player and teacher and also a vegetarian chef. Phil has become one of the most active performers and teachers in North America. Philip Gelb runs the Bay Area shakuhachi School, teaching traditional and modern music to over 30 students, with branches in Oakland and Santa Rosa, CA.

Tai Hei Shakuhachi / Monty Levenson
Professional quality shakuhachi of all sizes, student flutes, shakuhachi accessories and teaching materials. Monty Levenson has been a craftsman of fine shakuhachi for 35 years.

"I would be happy to write a testimonial for the Yuu Shakuhachi. I think they are the best thing that's ever happened for shakuhachi beginners in the USA. Financially and qualitatively they can't be beat. There is nothing else close out there for the price."
- Michael Chikuzen Gould / Shakuhachi Teacher and Performer

"I like the Yuu Shakuhachi very much. I like the quality of this flute for the price."
- Masayuki Koga / Shakuhachi Master

"What a surprising instrument is the Yuu Shakuhachi. Robust plastic, molded into the form of a bamboo root-end, it certainly looks the part. But the most pleasing aspect is the tremendous sound; so clear and responsive. I would have no hesitation in using the Shakuhachi Yuu in a performance at any level. It is a must for beginners, and at such a reasonable price, and as a “second” flute for experienced shakuhachi players, professionals and teachers."
- Andrew MacGregor / Shakuhachi Teacher and Performer, Australia