As has been commented, it is really difficult to isolate (or, in the case of
Westerners) integrate a set foreign cultural values, habits and biases into
ones life in a convincingly truthful way. Whether or not the nuisances
particular to Japanese shakuhachi are a result of cultural influences (as
much or more so than the technical issues of mastering the instrument) may
be impossible to determine for certain. Honkoyo shakuhachi is no doubt
intimily interwoven with Japanese culture, religion, and the "Japanese" way
of experiencing life. When it comes to Westerners playing Honkoyo, I'm not
sure if any of "us" could ever truly play in an "Authentic" style.
Interpretation is certainly not a bad thing, though. It is through
interpretation that new musical forms are born. Of course, a hundred years
from now, perhaps "authentic" Honkoyo will have integrated (or contaminated,
depending on your point of view) a Western influence. :-)
Cheers,
Brian
----- Original Message -----
From: <Dcammaro@aol.com>
To: <Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 9:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Shaku] Re: Do Westerners Have a Shakuhachi Accent?
> I watched an interview of one of the lead actors in the "Last Samurai." He
> said that he could tell that Tom Cruise was train in the US because of
his
> form. He said that non Japanese swordmen lack the discipline of the
Japanese . It
> could be a bit of snobbery. But I believe they, the Japanese have one
major
> advantage in regard to the shakuhachi. That being the availability of
teachers,
> instruments and other players. Here in New York we have more than most
areas
> in the world. Japan being the exception for reasons stated earlier.
>
> I think the other disadvatage is our ears have to be retrained to
understand
> the disonance of some of the music. We probably consciously don't want to
> hear the Japanese sound and hence don't play it.
>
> Just a thought
>
> Dominic
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