Shakuhachi

A shakuhachi flute.

Left - top view, four holes.

Right - bottom view, fifth hole.

The shakuhachi (尺八 (しゃくはち), IPA: [ɕakɯhatɕi]) is a Japanese flute which is played vertically (up-down) like a recorder, instead of transversely (from side to side) like the Western transverse flute. Its name means "1.8 foot", its size. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but others made in wood and plastic exist today. It was used by the monks of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (blowing meditation).

See also

• Flute

Other websites

Shakuhachi info links

• Blog of Perry Yung, shakuhachi craftsman
• Archive of articles about the shakuhachi
• Shakuhachi Playing Tips from Kakizakai Kaoru
• An online calculator for the positioning of the holes while constructing a Shakuhachi - German
• Shakuhachi in Federal Prison
• Open Directory Project - Shakuhachi
• Shakuhachi playing tips from Phil Nyokai James
• The Shakuhachi Blog - News & Information (updated regularly)

Shakuhachi groups links

• Myspace Shakuhachi Community
• Listing of Shakuhachi Schools and Organizations
• International Shakuhachi Society
• Shakuhachi Society of British Columbia
• Seattle Shakuhachi Society
• Australian Shakuhachi Society
• Shakuhachi Mailing List web archive
• ShakuhachiForum.com — world shakuhachi discussion