Japan: Shakuhachi Flute

Yoshikazu Iwamoto is one of the great masters of the shakuhachi, a five-holed notched bamboo flute that came about in Japan in the 8th century. The pieces presented here come from the meditation music repertoire of Zen monks. Nature is also very present. Some pieces were also played by monks to relax between two more austere practices. Despite its ancient origins, shakuhachi music has never been set rigidly and Yoshikazu Iwamoto has occasionally played contemporary music. This has not only enabled him to create new techniques but also given him a deeper understanding of traditional music.