Just a few thoughts on my own perceptions on the Shakuhachi. I realize
that these may be different than my contemporaries, and only reflect my
personal philospohy on the instrument.
Competitions, this is an interesting idea when considering some of the
Japanese lore I have read, heard from my Nihonjin contemporaries, or
learned from my teachers. From my understanding, and from my own
experience, the Honkyoku were not meant to be heard, and that the practice
of the Shakuhachi was a very 'internal' process.
However, I understand the reasons for competition, although I find it
difficult to discern solid criteria for judging, as there is such a great
deal of personal interpretation involved.
My personal feelings on promotion of one's self through the instrument are
very nebulous. I did begin study to attain proficiency, but not to gain
wealth or status through it. From my experience, in cases with practices
such as blowing shakuhachi, opportunities will present themselves when the
time is right; perhaps the competition was a good thing for our list
colleague. Personally, it isn't my style.
But then, I think about why I play in public on those rare occasions.
There is something about the voice of the instrument that people love, and
I like to see the enjoyment on their faces. I don't care about their
applause, I feel better that I gave them an experience that they might
remember.
As for personal motivations, I may have cracked a grand into my flute, but
never expect anything back. I think that's part of it. But then, my
playing isn't about healing or peace, or any of the more "new age"
attitudes that I tend to hear. These may be true, and are worthy
aspirations, but my goals are clarity, focus, and the ability to connect
into a greater level of experience than I did befopre I began to blow.
I constantly live in a digital world in which I'm constsntly bombarded with
information. Playing the Shakuhachi allows me to, pardon the metaphor,
look into the reflecting pool of my subjectivity and find greater clarity
of thought, as the streams of information are stripped from my enviromnet
as I play, until I am left with just myself, the instrument, and the
silence between breaths.
Sorry if I got off on a rant here, but practice of shakuhachi is, for me,
something that is intensely personal, and something that almost defies
description.
Probably as it should be.
As a wise old friend told me once,
"If I have to explain, then you don't understand."
Best,
Patrick
Canton, OH
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