>Greetings,
>
I want to clarify one point. I never said or believe that it is
"wrong" or "incorrect" to say "shak". I just have always found it
tacky...
Peter
>___ If I may venture my opinion, this is like calling a "violin" a
>"fiddle" or a "guitar" an "axe" - let's not quibble over trifles.
>
>There is an English equivalent of "sensei" - "teacher" or (if you're
>in a David Carradine kind of mood) "master" - it seems to me strange
>for non-Japanese speaking people to use a specifically Japanese
>word, but it's a long-acquired habit, I'd guess from post-WWII
>popularization of martial arts etiquette. Anyway, if people dig
>calling people "senseis" that's their business, as far as I'm
>concerned. To me personally it smacks of Orientalism, but oh well.
>There is no English equivalent of "shakuhachi" (the Japanese word),
>other than "shakuhachi" (the English word, derived from the Japanese
>word). Unless you'd prefer the very generic "flute" (a very English
>word, not derived from any Japanese word, however very vague without
>context). Again, let's not quibble over semantics, please ...
>
>
>>From: Peter Ross <peteross@cloudhandsmusic.com>
>>Reply-To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>>Subject: [Shaku] It's a shakuhachi, not a shak!
>>Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 10:28:44 -0600
>>
>>Hey Rob,
>>
>> I don't have a problem with the ideas you express in your letter
>>(below). I didn't read Brian's original letter, but it sounds like
>>you're getting a lot from playing and studying the shakuhachi.
>>
>>I just wanted to point out that a lot of the players and teachers
>>think it's really lame to say "shak" instead of "shakuhachi".
>>It's real annoying in fact. It's not a shak; it's a shakuhachi.
>>Just like you're teacher is a "sensei" and not a "sen" or a "sei".
>>It's a type of "dumming" down of the tradition we all respect and
>>love (obviously including you).
>>
>>Thought you and others might want to know this.
>>
>>Best regards,
>>
>>Peter
>>
>>>Hi Group,
>>>I originally sent this only to Brian, but since I hear so often
>>>that shak players can't afford our instrument. I thought I would
>>>post it to the list. I hope you are not offended Brian.
>>>
>>>Hey Brian,
>>>
>>>Sometimes it's how you frame it. I have two fine shaks. Ronnie got them both
>>>for me. My wife used to hold the same beliefs till we had a good talk about
>>>it. My case:
>>>
>>>The Shak does nice things for me and for you, (honey)
>>>
>>>My blood pressure goes down when I play (documented) - a good thing.
>>>
>>>When I am finished playing - I am in a good mood - good for our
>>>relationship.
>>>
>>>I become creative when I play and think of new business ideas - more revenue
>>>another good thing (documented)
>>>
>>>When I travel, I take my flute - Instead of going to bars or watching TV, I
>>>play, also good things.
>>>
>>>I play during breaks at corporate retreats e.g. Nike, Cigna, Pfizer etc. and
>>>all my lessons are tax deductible (my shaks are as well.) A good thing.
>>>
>>>Because of my playing we have expanded our circle of friends, including
>>>Ronnie and Yoshio, people we would never have met. More good!
>>>
>>>Our daughter takes an active interest in music, and plays her violin with
>>>me. She travels with me to my lessons and camps, and its our father /
>>>daughter "talk time - a very good thing.
>>>
>>>You have something to tease me about - squeaky sounds etc. (good for you).
>>>
>>>When I travel to lessons, you have your own time. I choose early Saturday
>>>mornings so she can sleep in! And I am back in time for fun with the family.
>>>Another good thing.
>>>
>>>The Shaks don't go down in value, and in fact they go up. Not true with some
>>>of our other investments (don't go here if inappropriate!) (very good).
>>>
>>>When Yoshio comes and plays a concert, all your friends get to come and they
>>>enjoy it and keep asking when he will return. Good for them and us.
>>>
>>>Because of a Yoshio concert, we raised enough money to demolish the old
>>>Slaughterhouse where the teenagers used to do drugs, and you got to make the
>>>dedication of the park speech! (a very good thing).
>>>
>>>Lastly, buying flutes and paying for lessons helps keep this instrument and
>>>this wonderful music alive. If it weren't for us, an entire genre would
>>>become extinct. We are all asked in many ways to support the arts by making
>>>charitable contributions etc. Why not support the art by being part of the
>>>art?
>>>
>>>Now that I think of it, Yoshio has a great 1.6 for sale hmmmm.
>>>
>>>Yu didn't ask for this but here is some unsolicited feedback. Never begin
>>>your thoughts with the word "unfortunately." I find it causes me to give up
>>>too quickly. You are not investing in an instrument, or a piece of bamboo,
>>>you are investing in yourself, and making yourself better helps us all.
>>>
>>>Hope this helps.
>>>
>>>Rob McNeil
>>
>>
>>--
>>Peter Ross
>>http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com
>>APDO 542-4100
>>Grecia, Costa Rica
>>Central America
>>011 (506) 494-5170
>>_____________________________________________
>>
>>List subscription information is at:
>>http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>
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-- Peter Ross http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com APDO 542-4100 Grecia, Costa Rica Central America 011 (506) 494-5170 _____________________________________________List subscription information is at: http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
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