For a good look at what the Iemoto System is really all about someone in the
Kyoto area might delve into the inner workings of Tozan Ryu Shakuhachi
Gakkai, probably the biggest Iemoto of them all. The name of this game is
MONEY!
If each of the rumored 10000 or so members pays the $150 annual membership
fee, then that translates into $1,500,000 in "sales" each year. Adding on
another million or so for sheet music sales, examination fees, licensing
fees, workshop fees, appearance fees and so on and so on, and it gets to be
about two and a half million in gross income per year. Of course, an Iemoto
has his (or in this case her) expenses as well.
This flow of money from the ranks to the head of the sect or branch of the
sect seems not to
have been mentioned at all, but it is a large part of being an Iemoto and
supporting an Iemoto, regardless of artistic ability.
Tom
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