Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ
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#1 2009-05-15 20:46:11
- ABRAXAS
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- Registered: 2009-01-17
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Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
So... does anyone know the specs on these massive tree-trunk hocchiku we see Watazumi pictured with on the covers of his LPs etc?
Some of these look even wider than a Taimu.
Not knowing how tall etc. Watazumi was it is difficult to guess the scale from the photos, but easily 2.4-3.0?
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Ps. I finally checked out Sukiyaki and Chips - it was fun to see him interviewed and especially blasting away on the bamboo. Is there more film footage of him?
Also, while they mention his background as a military trainer they are showing kendo/kenjitsu practice, is that what he taught?
"Shakuhachi music stirs up both gods and demons." -- Ikkyu.
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#2 2009-05-16 19:13:22
- Tairaku 太楽
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
The longest one I can recall being listed on his album liner notes was 3.4 and it sounded like he was really struggling with it on that song. The ones in the pics you're talking about are so fat they wouldn't play in tune in the second octave.
Maybe we need a new term for that kind of flute "fat shakuhachi that only plays midway thru the second octave" any of our linguists want to tackle that? We'll add it to the glossary. 
'Progress means simplifying, not complicating' : Bruno Munari
http://www.myspace.com/tairakubrianritchie
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#3 2009-05-16 21:24:46
- ABRAXAS
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
I forgot komuso.com lists the tracks with flute lengths! Thanks for reminding me. So, on some rare occasions it IS the flute. Better to stick with instruments within playable limits.
"fat shakuhachi that only plays midway thru the second octave" - Maybe frame it in terms of "Watazumimeters."
The Taimu you are using on the youtube video of Kyorei is Watazumily-impressive too.
"Shakuhachi music stirs up both gods and demons." -- Ikkyu.
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#4 2009-05-16 21:35:43
- Tairaku 太楽
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
ABRAXAS wrote:
The Taimu you are using on the youtube video of Kyorei is Watazumily-impressive too.
Very similar, only good for one octave. 3.0 (D). That was made from some bamboo Ken and I found in a hardware store in Japan Town. It has now cracked into numerous pieces so that video is the only souvenir.
I think it's good training to try playing weird flutes like that. 
'Progress means simplifying, not complicating' : Bruno Munari
http://www.myspace.com/tairakubrianritchie
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#5 2009-05-16 22:13:30
- ABRAXAS
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
I have one "tree trunk" shakuhachi that was a flutemaker's experiment that he gave to me - it is very interesting to play - it is mysteriously in tune with itself, but not "shakuhachi" tuning. Melodies can be had but on it's own terms and it is a challenge to get volume out of it. No 2nd octave (at least not that I can achieve). It is interesting and somehow educational to tinker with, not sure how but somehow. It has a tozan utaguchi inlay big enough to skip across water. I think its almost big enough to hide another shakuhachi in the bore! I'll post pics whenever I get another digicam.
Last edited by ABRAXAS (2009-05-16 22:14:16)
"Shakuhachi music stirs up both gods and demons." -- Ikkyu.
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#6 2009-05-16 22:33:45
- Karmajampa
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
Tairaku wrote:
The longest one I can recall being listed on his album liner notes was 3.4 and it sounded like he was really struggling with it on that song. The ones in the pics you're talking about are so fat they wouldn't play in tune in the second octave.
Maybe we need a new term for that kind of flute "fat shakuhachi that only plays midway thru the second octave" any of our linguists want to tackle that? We'll add it to the glossary.
"Shakobesi"
Kel.
Kia Kaha !
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#7 2009-05-17 01:57:17
- edosan
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
Tairaku wrote:
I think it's good training to try playing weird flutes like that.
But the question remains: good training for what? 
Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.
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#8 2009-05-17 07:35:00
- Tairaku 太楽
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
edosan wrote:
Tairaku wrote:
I think it's good training to try playing weird flutes like that.
But the question remains: good training for what?
Being a weirdo. 
'Progress means simplifying, not complicating' : Bruno Munari
http://www.myspace.com/tairakubrianritchie
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#9 2009-05-17 08:47:24
- ABRAXAS
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
Tairaku wrote:
edosan wrote:
Tairaku wrote:
I think it's good training to try playing weird flutes like that.
But the question remains: good training for what?
Being a weirdo.
Which justifies itself.
"Shakuhachi music stirs up both gods and demons." -- Ikkyu.
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#10 2009-05-18 03:31:45
Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
May I join this club of weirdos?
I think this might be more sane than some of the other clubs around....
My Buddhabelly bamboo shakuhachi only plays (or played until it cracked) right in the lower register too.... so I want to join.
I am a hole in a flute
that the Christ's breath moves through
listen to this music
Hafiz
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#11 2009-05-18 06:15:28
- ABRAXAS
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Re: Watazumi's Hocchiku Specs
Yes! The "fat jinashi-nobe shakuhachi that only plays midway thru the second octave" club!
Lets collect honkyoku that only go halfway through the second octave (or else just ignore the KAN sign) and only write our scores in BIG katakana only using REALLY THICK markers!
Ps. I still have two pieces of buddha belly bamboo curing that I intend to make shakuhachi of, just for the fun of it, whenever I'm in the mood to tinker with it.
Last edited by ABRAXAS (2009-05-18 06:29:24)
"Shakuhachi music stirs up both gods and demons." -- Ikkyu.
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