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The shakuhachi, the shamisen and the koto. These three musical instruments are often played together. When you want to know one of them, you should have some knowledge of the other two instruments.

The Shakuhachi

Made from the base of a bamboo stem, a "shakuhachi" is a Japanese flute with five holes. It came from China during the 7th century and was originally a musical instrument used in Buddist rites. "Shaku"�@is a traditional form of measurement used in Japan before the metric system was adopted. It equals approximately one foot in length, and "hachi" means eight. So shakuhachi means one and eight tenths of a foot, which is the length of the instrument. It is usually played by men and the pitch of the sound is adjusted by finger movements and blowing techniques.

(quoted from "The Japanese -English Dictionary for Daily Conversation" published by "Obunsha" in 1987)

Note1:Today the shakuhachi is played not only by men but also by women. Our school is led by a lady whose name is Nakao Mitsuko.

Note2:The length of the shakuhachi is not necessarily limited to only one length. When we need a low tone, we use a longer one. When we need a high tone, we use a shorter one. There are approximately 13 different kinds of shakuhachi from the standpoint of its length. But the above explained one is the most frequently used one. When you learn the shakuhachi, you have only to have one shakuhachi explained above. Most tunes are played by it except Japanese traditional old folk songs. Anyway you don't have to have so many shakuhachis.

The Shamisen (the Sangen)


A three -stringed musical instrument typical to Japan. The body is covered with catskin. The "shamisen" originally came from Okinawa in the 16th century. It was then called "jabisen" or snakeskin string, because its sound box was covered with snakeskin. The strings are made of twisted silk thread but nylon threads are also used nowadays. The shamisen is played by using a triangular ivory plectrum to pluck the strings. It is used mainly as an accompaniment instrument for "Kabuki" and "Bunraku" puppet plays, as well as other narrative kinds of folk music.

(quoted from "The Japanese -English Dictionary for Daily Conversation" published by "Obunsha" in 1987)
Note1:Today the dogskin is often used instead of the catskin.

Note2:Today plastic plectrums are often used instead of ivory ones.

The Koto( the Sou)

A long Japanese zither having 13 strings. It is one of the traditional Japanese musical instruments practiced widely by women. Looking like a horizontal harp, the "koto" is made of wood and the strings are stretched over a bridge. They are plucked with small plectrums attached to the thumb and the two adjoining fingers of the players's right hand.
(quoted from "The Japanese -English Dictionary for Daily Conversation" published by "Obunsha" in 1987)
Note1:Today a lot of men are playing the koto.

Address of the Shin-Tozan-Ryu school of the shakuhachi
��603-8227(zip code)
27-170 Kita-Funaokamachi Murasakino Kita-ku Kyoto Japan
Tel:Japan 075-441-9996
Fax:Japan 075-441-9993
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