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#1 2007-05-29 09:38:21
Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
From "The Shakuhachi: A Manual for Learning" by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel.
"...Another example of Edo period roguery can be seen in the story of Qtori Itsubei, a colorful gambler who was executed in 1612. He made (and won) a bet that he could play the shakuhachi better with his rear end than the Fuke monks could do with their mouths. Whether to be believed or not, it is a good example of Edo humor and sensibilities, as well as an indication of the kind of personalities associated with playing the shakuhachi at the time."
In my on-going quest to preserve old traditions I have decided to retrieve from the dustbin of the vanities this facet of the shakuhachi playing traditions: ***I hereby challenge anyone everywhere to play the shakuhachi flute better than me with their rear end*** and I commit the amount of 1000USD as prize money for the competition to be conducted when the contestants have been assembled.
I would consider it a service to our number if someone who could act as referee for the event, I'm thinking a respected expert on the instrument, would make him or herself know as available to perform the duty. A strong stomach is essential.
Sincerely,
Harry Bradley,
President, International Irish Back End Blown Flute Society.
"As God once said, and I think rightly..." (Margaret Thatcher)
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#2 2007-05-29 11:07:01
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
gg 
Just to comment on this: there have been rumours in Prague shakuhachi underground on this very story that it is probably the rear end OF THE FLUTE, since these two words are very similar in japanese. That the obscurity of the story is due to wrong translation. However, since none of them "experts" has seen the original, we may only wonder............... whether it was the Edo period or contemporary translators who were morally corrupt. 
Yours wondering,
Marek Matvija
In passionate silence, the sound is what I'm after.
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#4 2007-05-29 13:22:04
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
There was a young monk from Madras
whose stomach was made of pure brass.
When he ate spicy food,
fermenting ensued,
and honkyoku blew from his ass.
-Darren.
Last edited by dstone (2007-05-29 13:23:35)
When it is rainy, I am in the rain. When it is windy, I am in the wind. - Mitsuo Aida
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#5 2007-05-29 13:36:32
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Darren my good man,
After the initial indecision you've found your footing admirably.
There was a young Komuso called Paul,
Whose honkyoku playing did people appaul,
So he grasped his bamboo and squatted down on the loo,
Where he puffed til he was rid of it all.
Salute,
H.
Last edited by Harry (2007-05-29 13:52:36)
"As God once said, and I think rightly..." (Margaret Thatcher)
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#6 2007-05-29 13:59:01
- Travis Winegar
- Member
- From: Columbia, MO
- Registered: 2005-10-31
- Posts: 74
- Website
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
This has obviously been a topic of interest in other parts of the world...
The Ass and the Flute
"As soon as you see something, you already start to intellectualize it. As soon as you intellectualize something, it is no longer what you saw." – Shunryu Suzuki
Shakuhachi Search Engine
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#7 2007-05-29 17:09:28
- edosan
- Edomologist
- From: Salt Lake City
- Registered: 2005-10-09
- Posts: 2185
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Harry wrote:
***I hereby challenge anyone everywhere to play the shakuhachi flute better than me with their rear end***
It seems only meet and just that we have a sample of this, your playing, so that we have some idea how high the mark is (sic).
eB
Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.
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#8 2007-05-29 17:16:41
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Buddha wept, man! Have you no sense of occasion, it would completely spoil the sporting element!
I just don't know what ye be thinking over there in The Colonies sometimes. I suppose you'll be telling me next that you're betting on fillies on these confounded machines?
Regards,
Harry.
"As God once said, and I think rightly..." (Margaret Thatcher)
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#9 2007-05-30 00:46:40
- rpowers
- Member
- From: San Francisco
- Registered: 2005-10-09
- Posts: 285
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
marek wrote:
gg
Just to comment on this: there have been rumours in Prague shakuhachi underground on this very story that it is probably the rear end OF THE FLUTE, since these two words are very similar in japanese. That the obscurity of the story is due to wrong translation. However, since none of them "experts" has seen the original, we may only wonder............... whether it was the Edo period or contemporary translators who were morally corrupt.
Yours wondering,
Marek Matvija
Torsten Olafsson quotes the story that Yohmei refers to:
" At that moment I grasped the komuso's shakuhachi and held it beneath me. When I successfully played it, everyone could hear it."
There may be some ambiguity regarding which end of the flute is being blown, but not about which end of the player is doing the blowing.
"Shut up 'n' play . . . " -- Frank Zappa
"Gonna blow some . . ." -- Junior Walker
"It's not the flute." -- Riley Lee
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#10 2007-05-30 08:56:24
- edosan
- Edomologist
- From: Salt Lake City
- Registered: 2005-10-09
- Posts: 2185
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Harry wrote:
Buddha wept, man! Have you no sense of occasion...
Of course, of course. Groveling apologies for losing my way there
eB
Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.
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#11 2007-05-30 22:03:43
- bluespiderweb
- Member
- From: Southeastern PA USA
- Registered: 2005-10-31
- Posts: 66
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Break out the coleslaw and the beans! We'll all have a go, Harry!
Be well, Barry
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#12 2007-06-08 19:11:26
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
Has to be shared:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qX6_SI32S9s
Throw in some manualing and you've got a one-man duet:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IOyEw9bT8yQ
-Darren.
When it is rainy, I am in the rain. When it is windy, I am in the wind. - Mitsuo Aida
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#13 2007-06-08 23:51:45
- edosan
- Edomologist
- From: Salt Lake City
- Registered: 2005-10-09
- Posts: 2185
Re: Historic Challenge, BIG MONEY!
The manualist:
Now THAT's an embouchure, folks!
What a stunning virtuoso--and an incredible arranger, too.
(thanks, Darren; nice interlude)
eB
Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.
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