Komusō Shakuhachi Zen Night

Listen to the sounds of the traditional Japanese flute, played to attain enlightenment.

What to expect

Komusō are Zen monks in Japan who practice meditation by playing the bamboo flute. They often wear straw baskets over their heads, symbolizing letting go of ego and identity.

Following last December’s event, monks Ryusui, Ryuzen, and Kyozen return to perform a solo piece on the jinashi shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute built to the same design used by Edo-period komusō monks.

The anonymous work that will be performed was left behind by komusō monks, including former defeated soldiers. Historically, many komusō were former samurai who had lost their status after years of warfare. The piece is deeply imbued with memories of the famine and strife of the Sengoku period, and it expresses themes of impermanence, decline, and prayer for the repose of lost souls.

This is a quiet, listening-focused event held in an intimate venue in Asagaya, a neighborhood known for its rich musical heritage.

Tickets

Entry costs ¥1,500, and one drink order is mandatory (starting from around ¥500).

How to get there

The venue is Asagaya Tabasa, located about a 4-minute walk from JR Asagaya Station. Take the Chuō (Rapid) or Chuō-Sōbu Line (Local) from Shinjuku Station to get there in 12 or 17 minutes, respectively.