Immerse yourself in the haunting sounds of the shakuhachi flute

an instrument whose ancient traditions are believed to communicate with the spirits of nature, animals, and people. Today, these traditions continue to thrive, passed down through generations of shakuhachi players who both preserve and evolve this sacred art form. Its unique sound resonates not only in Japan but inspires musicians and composers across the globe.

In this performance, Japanese, Czech, and international artists will present the spiritual music of three prominent shakuhachi schools: Myōan, Kinko, and Tōzan. Through solos, duets, and a quintet, the musicians of the International Shakuhachi Festival Prague 2025 will reveal the distinct voices of their individual styles.

In Japanese musical tradition, the line between composer and performer is often blurred. For the shakuhachi player, the goal is not just to perform a composition but to inhabit it fully, immersing themselves in its essence. By playing a piece repeatedly, the performer uncovers its deeper layers, sometimes discovering new interpretations or perspectives. This process links them to their predecessors, while allowing for personal expression and a continuous evolution of the tradition. It is through this dynamic relationship between past and present that the living art of the shakuhachi is sustained.

The programme concludes with Shika no Tone, a piece evoking the mournful cry of the lost souls of sika deer wandering through an autumn landscape. This will be performed in an extraordinary quintet arrangement by The Shakuhachi 5 ensemble, offering a rare opportunity to experience the diverse styles and schools from which these musicians come, showcasing the rich variety within the shakuhachi tradition.

Chōshi (Myōan)
Vlastislav Matoušek

Ginryū Kokū (Kinko ryū school)
Akihisa Kominato, Gunnar Jinmei Linder
Note: Czech premiere

Daha (Jikishō ryū)
Ken-ichi Tajima

Kokū (Itchōken Temple)
Dietmar Ippū Herriger

Iwashimizu (Tōzan School)
Kizan Kawamura

Amazing Grace
John Kaizan Neptune
Note: daichōkan

—intermission—

Yamagoe / Sokkan (Chikushinkai)
Akihito Obama

Oshu-sashi
Reison Kuroda
Note: 2.2 shakuhachi

Shika no Tone (Kinko ryū, Tōzan ryū, Chikushinkai, Jikishō ryū)
Akihito Obama, Kizan Kawamura, Reison Kuroda, Akihisa Kominato, Ken-ichi Tajima
European premiere