Welcome to Kōchiku Shakuhachi
The shakuhachi is far more than a musical instrument—it is a centuries-old path of disciplined practice and profound artistic expression. Rooted in a rich tradition that has been transmitted through generations, it demands both technical mastery and deep listening. As a performer, teacher, and Dai Shihan of the shakuhachi, I am committed to preserving and sharing this legacy with clarity, integrity, and respect for its cultural depth. My name, Kōchiku (光竹, “Radiant Bamboo”), reflects my dedication to this art form, where each note is a step inward, each breath a connection to something greater.
For over 25 years, I’ve trained with some of the world’s most respected shakuhachi masters in Japan and the West, deepening my understanding of both the music and the tradition. Under the long-term guidance and instruction of esteemed teachers such as Riley Lee and Ishikawa Toshimitsu (and briefly with the world-renowned Yokoyama Katsuya), I’ve worked diligently to refine both my performance and teaching methods.
Through my studies with the late scholar, Tsukitani Tsuneko and the Osaka-based Shakuhachi Kenkyūkai, my research on the modern history of shakuhachi has been published in the international journal The World of Music. More recently, my exploration of other shakuhachi lineages has deepened and supported my understanding of the shakuhachi tradition. These include studies with Designated Prefectural Cultural Treasure Holder for Kinpu-ryu, Dr. Yamada Fumio of Hirosaki, as well as Zenyoji Keisuke of the Jin Nyodo lineage.
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A Path of Music, Meditation, and Mastery
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced student, or someone drawn to the mystery of the shakuhachi, Kōchiku Shakuhachi offers a structured approach to learning. Here, music is the vehicle for transformation, and each lesson serves as both a spiritual and artistic practice.
In addition to private lessons and workshops, I guide students through the complexities of honkyoku (traditional solo pieces), breathing techniques, traditional notation, and deepening one’s relationship with sound and silence. For those seeking certification, opportunities for advanced training and mentorship are available.
My teaching extends beyond Hawai‘i—lessons are also available online to students around the world.
⸻
Achievements and Background
As an active performer, I have contributed to notable projects such as the soundtrack of the documentary Aloha Akebono (KHON TV), and I have performed at prominent institutions like the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and have been a frequent presenter at the Japanese Studies Association’s Freeman Foundation Summer Institute. International performances have included performances in Osaka and Bisei, Japan and most recently I performed Marty Regan's masterwork piece, Voyage, with the Punahou Symphony Orchestra at Tokyo Gakushuin University. I will be serving on the faculty of the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025 in Texas, where I will be teaching two workshops and performing in multiple recitals.
I am honored to have received the prestigious Monbushō Scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, which allowed me to conduct in-depth research on the shakuhachi at Osaka University. My dedication to this tradition was further recognized when I received the title Dai Shihan in 2024 and established the Kōchiku Kai, a community devoted to the study and transmission of traditional music of the shakuhachi.
I’ve released two CDs—The Voice of Bamboo: Take no Koe and San Kyorei: Sacred Music for Shakuhachi and have multiple digital releases. In the Summer of 2022, I competed in the World Shakuhachi Festival Online Competition, where I placed 4th in the modern music category and received a special prize for "Best Video." In 2023, I received 1st place in the Hawai'i Regional Osaka International Music Competition and, most recently, received Platinum Medals in multiple online competitions (Global International Music Competition, Trinity International Music Competition, Canadian International Music Competition, and the Grand Maestro International Music Competition).
⸻
A Journey Through Sound
At Kōchiku Shakuhachi, music is both a spiritual practice and a performance art. Whether in private lessons or group workshops, my approach fosters both mastery of technique and deep connection to the breath, the music, and the silence between the notes.
The shakuhachi is far more than a musical instrument—it is a centuries-old path of disciplined practice and profound artistic expression. Rooted in a rich tradition that has been transmitted through generations, it demands both technical mastery and deep listening. As a performer, teacher, and Dai Shihan of the shakuhachi, I am committed to preserving and sharing this legacy with clarity, integrity, and respect for its cultural depth. My name, Kōchiku (光竹, “Radiant Bamboo”), reflects my dedication to this art form, where each note is a step inward, each breath a connection to something greater.
For over 25 years, I’ve trained with some of the world’s most respected shakuhachi masters in Japan and the West, deepening my understanding of both the music and the tradition. Under the long-term guidance and instruction of esteemed teachers such as Riley Lee and Ishikawa Toshimitsu (and briefly with the world-renowned Yokoyama Katsuya), I’ve worked diligently to refine both my performance and teaching methods.
Through my studies with the late scholar, Tsukitani Tsuneko and the Osaka-based Shakuhachi Kenkyūkai, my research on the modern history of shakuhachi has been published in the international journal The World of Music. More recently, my exploration of other shakuhachi lineages has deepened and supported my understanding of the shakuhachi tradition. These include studies with Designated Prefectural Cultural Treasure Holder for Kinpu-ryu, Dr. Yamada Fumio of Hirosaki, as well as Zenyoji Keisuke of the Jin Nyodo lineage.
⸻
A Path of Music, Meditation, and Mastery
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced student, or someone drawn to the mystery of the shakuhachi, Kōchiku Shakuhachi offers a structured approach to learning. Here, music is the vehicle for transformation, and each lesson serves as both a spiritual and artistic practice.
In addition to private lessons and workshops, I guide students through the complexities of honkyoku (traditional solo pieces), breathing techniques, traditional notation, and deepening one’s relationship with sound and silence. For those seeking certification, opportunities for advanced training and mentorship are available.
My teaching extends beyond Hawai‘i—lessons are also available online to students around the world.
⸻
Achievements and Background
As an active performer, I have contributed to notable projects such as the soundtrack of the documentary Aloha Akebono (KHON TV), and I have performed at prominent institutions like the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, and have been a frequent presenter at the Japanese Studies Association’s Freeman Foundation Summer Institute. International performances have included performances in Osaka and Bisei, Japan and most recently I performed Marty Regan's masterwork piece, Voyage, with the Punahou Symphony Orchestra at Tokyo Gakushuin University. I will be serving on the faculty of the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025 in Texas, where I will be teaching two workshops and performing in multiple recitals.
I am honored to have received the prestigious Monbushō Scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education, which allowed me to conduct in-depth research on the shakuhachi at Osaka University. My dedication to this tradition was further recognized when I received the title Dai Shihan in 2024 and established the Kōchiku Kai, a community devoted to the study and transmission of traditional music of the shakuhachi.
I’ve released two CDs—The Voice of Bamboo: Take no Koe and San Kyorei: Sacred Music for Shakuhachi and have multiple digital releases. In the Summer of 2022, I competed in the World Shakuhachi Festival Online Competition, where I placed 4th in the modern music category and received a special prize for "Best Video." In 2023, I received 1st place in the Hawai'i Regional Osaka International Music Competition and, most recently, received Platinum Medals in multiple online competitions (Global International Music Competition, Trinity International Music Competition, Canadian International Music Competition, and the Grand Maestro International Music Competition).
⸻
A Journey Through Sound
At Kōchiku Shakuhachi, music is both a spiritual practice and a performance art. Whether in private lessons or group workshops, my approach fosters both mastery of technique and deep connection to the breath, the music, and the silence between the notes.
A path shaped by silence, breath, and centuries of tradition