Bamboo is a symbol of flexibility, long life, and enlightenment and is one of the most revered plants around the world for its usefulness and beauty. As a shakuhachi, bamboo flute artist, the sound and music of the shakuhachi has been a part of most of my life and is the root of inspiration for…

This year in November was supposed to be the 11th Shakuhachi Roots Pilgrimage to Japan but of course due to Covid we had to cancel. I am scheduling the next one for 2023. Hopefully travel will be smoothed out by then. So, if any of my shakuhachi playing friends who want to join me on…

My interest in electronic music has lead me to collaborate with producer/dj Cain Li (Master Li) and we have formed a group called INYODO (The Way of Yin and Yang). Last summer we produced our first piece as well as accompanying video of the classic Japanese folk melody, Kokiriko. We just released it this week…

It’s the end of September of 2017 and I’ve been playing about 26 months now. The last year however have been extremely slow due to my work schedule which hasn’t given me much chance to really focus and practice. For about 4 months I was taking regular shamisen lessons with Kevin Kmetz in Japan via Skype which has…

This is something that I’ve been living with for the last 5 years or so. For about 20 years, I was mainly a shakuhachi flute player. I trained primarily in Japan and it is expected that one keeps to only one instrument in their lives. In fact it is frowned upon to go outside of…

I recently started making shinobue after 15 years of playing this wonderful instrument. I’ve studied many maker’s flutes and researched various kinds of flute making and finally started making my own. So I will share with you my process of making a fue. So, where do you get the bamboo for making a shinobue? Shino…

This year marks my entrance into the world of the Tsugaru Shamisen. I began my shamisen adventure in January of this year when my friend, Robin Shackleton gifted me with a Hosozao beginner’s shamisen. I was quite overjoyed to receive this precious gift. Although at the time, I had no idea the quality of this…

Shakuhachi is the experience of blowing the mind. We attune with the breath and bamboo which opens portals of mystery and adventure; worlds which we create with our imagination and intention. The universe is a magical place and the shakuhachi is a beautiful talisman of great power for the player to use to make the…

Dec. 25, 2013 Meri-kari shimasu! What a beautiful, relaxing month it has been so far after returning from Japan and Texas! The Shakuhachi Roots Pilgrimage was such as success, I am still feeling the positive effects from the Journey. I am starting to plan for 2015 as we already have people signed up! After returning…