As an extension to the modern komuso discussion:
I live just above a large temple in Kumamoto, Japan that wasn't directly
connected to the komuso practice, however, two years ago I was driving past
the temple and I came upon a person clad in komuso garb carrying a
shakuhachi who stopped in front of the gates of houses in front of the
temple and played for a short time. In no case while I was watching did the
player evoke a response from the inhabitants within their houses, other than
silence. A komuso?
It is generally considered by most that the komuso don't exist as a formal
group anymore. From time to time, a very few shakuhachi players will put on
the costume and 'try their luck at the practice' as an experience. I have
met a few who have done this and my impression is that they weren't at all
committed to any ideal or belief system that is generally associated with
the komuso of old. In fact it seemed to be something more along the lines
of 'a cool thing to do.' I was even invited by one young player to try it
sometime, as he had and thought that it might be an interesting experience
for me as well... an 'interesting experience'...it sounded somewhat
disposable to me. I suppose in one sense it would have been interesting
since it would have surely inspired some unusual and varied reactions from
those confronted by me dressed in that way. I'm not so sure that was the
purpose of the whole practice in its origin though.
I suppose that the practice of donning a komuso costume today and playing in
front of gates here in Japan might be similar to driving a model T in a
parade in the U.S. Both hold something of a special place in the collective
mind of those old enough to know what they are, even without knowing exactly
what they meant in their beginnings, however in modern practical terms, they
are quite out-of-place and as such, in their new social context hold a more
theatrical place and perhaps deserve to be paraded.
Happy playing,
jeff
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