Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Considering nuanced shakuhachi esoterica, here is a glossary taken from John Singer's website:

SOME TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE TONAL AND OTHER  QUALITIES BY WHICH SHAKUHACHI ARE JUDGED

1. Utsukushisa = overall beauty of tone

2. Miyabi = elegance/richness of tone

3. Shimari = tonal closure

4. Fukami = tonal depth

5. Asami = tonal shallowness

6. Akarusa = brightness of tone

7. Kurasa = darkness of tone

8. Amasa/amami = sweetness of tone

9. Marumi = roundness of tone

10. Shibumi = severity of tone

11. Yawarakasa = softness of tone

12. Katasa = hardness/harshness of tone

13. Zarazara = Dryenss/roughness (a type of harshness) of tone

14. tsumeasa = coldness of tone

15. Atatakasa = warmth of tone

16. Wabi/sabi = qualities of loneliness in the overall sound

17. Haba = sound width/bigness/reach/volume

18. Karumi =  lightness of flute and tone

19. Omomi = heaviness of flute and tone

20. Yasashisa = kindness of tone

21. Joseiteki/Danseiteki = femininity & masculinity of tone


I recommend reading the articles on John's website. He is very knowledgeable and there is much of interest there.


And for those who've not yet seen it, John has a wonderful gallery of antique shakuhchi here.

eB