The International Shakuhachi Society
The
International Shakuhachi Society is a world forum for people interested
in the Japanese bamboo flute. It enables various players, schools, composers,
ethnomusicologists and hobbyists to share information with a wide and
sympathetic audience. At present we have over one hundreded full time
members.
The ISS focuses on the following topics:
The history of the instrument and the komuso movement.
The history of shakuhachi music.
The notation and playing techniques of the various schools.
Information about musicians and recordings.
Do you use this site a lot? Are you looking to meet other players
in your area? Would you like to support our work? Then consider becoming
an ISS member. Anyone can join the society by completing a membership
form.
This web site focuses on cataloging historical information. To purchase a shakuhachi or recordings, or find information about current musical events please visit these other sites. Please do not write to me regarding where to find copies of recordings or sheet music since I don't know. Unfortunately most are out of print. Your best bet is Shakuhachi.com or Meijiro.
For an ongoing discussion of shakuhachi related topics check out the Shakuhachi Forum.
The information at this site has been compiled from various texts and contributions of ISS members. We have done our best to keep the information accurate but there are probably many errors and omissions, both typographical and philosophical. With your help this site will constantly improve in quantity and quality.
Volume II of The Annals of the International
Shakuhachi Society is now available from Shakuhachi.com!
Listen to Watazumi perform a version of Hon Shirabe.
Best Regards - Ron Nelson, ISS President & Webmaster
Contact the ISS at webmaster@komuso.com
Getting Started...
There are a lot of lists on this site and they can be a bit intimidating if you don't know what you are looking for. To get you started here is a, very subjective, list of some of my favorite things on this site.