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 living tradition passed down 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, and each breath a connection to something greater.
For over 30 years, I have studied with some of the world’s most respected shakuhachi masters in both Japan and the West. Under the long-term guidance of teachers such as Robert Herr, Riley Lee, and Ishikawa Toshimitsu, and through meaningful instruction with the legendary Yokoyama Katsuya and Living National Treasure Zenyoji Keisuke, I have worked to refine both my performance and pedagogy.
My academic background also informs my teaching. Through my studies with the late scholar Tsukitani Tsuneko and the Shakuhachi Kenkyūkai of Osaka, my research on the modern history of the shakuhachi was published in the international journal The World of Music. More recently, I have deepened my understanding of other shakuhachi lineages through study with Dr. Yamada Fumio—a Prefecturally Designated Cultural Treasure for Kinpu-ryū shakuhachi in Hirosaki, Japan.
Achievements and Background
As a performer, I’ve contributed to a wide range of projects, including the original soundtrack for the KHON2 documentary Aloha Akebono. I’ve performed at leading institutions such as the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, and have been a frequent presenter at the Freeman Foundation Summer Institute for the Japanese Studies Association. Internationally, I’ve appeared in concert in Osaka, Bisei, and most recently in Tokyo, where I performed Marty Regan’s Voyage with the Punahou Symphony Orchestra at Gakushūin University. In 2024, I was awarded the title Dai Shihan, and founded the Kōchiku Kai—a global community dedicated to the study and transmission of traditional shakuhachi music.
Recent Highlights
In 2025, I was honored to perform with Shinnyo Taiko at the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony, an event devoted to remembrance, peace, and spiritual reflection. At this deeply moving gathering, I also shared the stage with Keola Beamer, legendary slack key guitarist and cultural icon of Hawaiian music, who performed a rare and evocative piece on the Hawaiian nose flute. The convergence of shakuhachi and nose flute—two breath-based instruments rooted in spiritual traditions—created a soundscape of reverence, healing, and cross-cultural harmony. Earlier in the year, I performed in concert with internationally acclaimed cellist Udi Bar-David, blending the voice of the shakuhachi with the expressive depth of the cello in a transcultural celebration of beauty and shared artistry.
At the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025, I was deeply honored to collaborate with two esteemed shakuhachi masters, Motonaga Hiromu and Tsujimoto Yoshimi, whose artistry and innovative interpretations of contemporary shakuhachi music reflect the evolving possibilities of the instrument in the modern world.
Recordings and Recognition
I’ve released two full-length albums--The Voice of Bamboo: Take no Koe and San Kyōrei: Sacred Music for Shakuhachi—along with several digital releases that explore both the spiritual roots and expressive range of the instrument. My music has been featured on Hawai‘i Public Radio’s Evening Concert, bringing the sound of shakuhachi to a wider audience.
While my focus remains on the meditative and traditional aspects of shakuhachi, I also engage with contemporary works. In 2022, I received a special award for Best Video at the World Shakuhachi Festival Online Competition. In recent years, my performances have been honored with top prizes in multiple international music competitions, reflecting the continued resonance of the shakuhachi in both traditional and modern contexts.
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 living tradition passed down 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, and each breath a connection to something greater.
For over 30 years, I have studied with some of the world’s most respected shakuhachi masters in both Japan and the West. Under the long-term guidance of teachers such as Robert Herr, Riley Lee, and Ishikawa Toshimitsu, and through meaningful instruction with the legendary Yokoyama Katsuya and Living National Treasure Zenyoji Keisuke, I have worked to refine both my performance and pedagogy.
My academic background also informs my teaching. Through my studies with the late scholar Tsukitani Tsuneko and the Shakuhachi Kenkyūkai of Osaka, my research on the modern history of the shakuhachi was published in the international journal The World of Music. More recently, I have deepened my understanding of other shakuhachi lineages through study with Dr. Yamada Fumio—a Prefecturally Designated Cultural Treasure for Kinpu-ryū shakuhachi in Hirosaki, Japan.
Achievements and Background
As a performer, I’ve contributed to a wide range of projects, including the original soundtrack for the KHON2 documentary Aloha Akebono. I’ve performed at leading institutions such as the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, and have been a frequent presenter at the Freeman Foundation Summer Institute for the Japanese Studies Association. Internationally, I’ve appeared in concert in Osaka, Bisei, and most recently in Tokyo, where I performed Marty Regan’s Voyage with the Punahou Symphony Orchestra at Gakushūin University. In 2024, I was awarded the title Dai Shihan, and founded the Kōchiku Kai—a global community dedicated to the study and transmission of traditional shakuhachi music.
Recent Highlights
In 2025, I was honored to perform with Shinnyo Taiko at the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony, an event devoted to remembrance, peace, and spiritual reflection. At this deeply moving gathering, I also shared the stage with Keola Beamer, legendary slack key guitarist and cultural icon of Hawaiian music, who performed a rare and evocative piece on the Hawaiian nose flute. The convergence of shakuhachi and nose flute—two breath-based instruments rooted in spiritual traditions—created a soundscape of reverence, healing, and cross-cultural harmony. Earlier in the year, I performed in concert with internationally acclaimed cellist Udi Bar-David, blending the voice of the shakuhachi with the expressive depth of the cello in a transcultural celebration of beauty and shared artistry.
At the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025, I was deeply honored to collaborate with two esteemed shakuhachi masters, Motonaga Hiromu and Tsujimoto Yoshimi, whose artistry and innovative interpretations of contemporary shakuhachi music reflect the evolving possibilities of the instrument in the modern world.
Recordings and Recognition
I’ve released two full-length albums--The Voice of Bamboo: Take no Koe and San Kyōrei: Sacred Music for Shakuhachi—along with several digital releases that explore both the spiritual roots and expressive range of the instrument. My music has been featured on Hawai‘i Public Radio’s Evening Concert, bringing the sound of shakuhachi to a wider audience.
While my focus remains on the meditative and traditional aspects of shakuhachi, I also engage with contemporary works. In 2022, I received a special award for Best Video at the World Shakuhachi Festival Online Competition. In recent years, my performances have been honored with top prizes in multiple international music competitions, reflecting the continued resonance of the shakuhachi in both traditional and modern contexts.
Performing with Udi Bar-David
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With the legendary Keola Beamer at the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony Hawai'i 2025
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With Motonaga Hiromu and Tsujimoto Yoshimi at the World Shakuhachi Festival 2025
A path shaped by silence, breath, and centuries of tradition