1.
shakuhachi, Japanese bamboo flute
A traditional Japanese end-blown bamboo flute, known for its meditative, breathy tone.
尺八を吹く。
I play the shakuhachi.
尺八の音色は心が落ち着く。
The sound of the shakuhachi is calming.
虚無僧は尺八を吹きながら托鉢した。
Komusō monks begged for alms while playing shakuhachi.
Historical context
NAME ORIGIN: 尺八 literally means "one shaku and eight sun" (approximately 54.5 cm), the standard length of the instrument.
CHARACTERISTICS:
- Made of madake bamboo (真竹)
- End-blown (not side-blown like Western flutes)
- Five finger holes (4 front, 1 back)
- Breathy, meditative tone
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 尺八を吹く (to play shakuhachi)
- 尺八奏者 (shakuhachi player)
- 本曲 (solo shakuhachi pieces)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
Originally associated with 虚無僧 (Fuke Zen Buddhist monks) who played shakuhachi as a form of meditation (吹禅).
GENRES:
- 邦楽 (traditional Japanese music)
- 三曲 (ensemble with koto and shamisen)
[Register: Neutral]
Related Words
Related:
三味線 (shamisen)