Kōchiku Kai Shakuhachi Lessons
A Path of Music, Meditation, and Mastery
Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned musician, or drawn to the spiritual depth of the shakuhachi, the Kōchiku Kai offers a welcoming, structured path for learning. Music becomes a means of inner reflection—each lesson a practice in sound, breath, and presence.
Through private lessons and workshops, I guide students in:
Kōchiku Kai: Lineage and Learning
Kōchiku Kai is dedicated to the study, preservation, and transmission of shakuhachi honkyoku across multiple historical streams. Our focus is on authentic transmission, preserving the integrity of each lineage while guiding students in both technical mastery and spiritual depth.
Guiding Principle:
All pieces and styles are taught according to the direct line of transmission from teacher to student. When a piece exists in multiple streams, we clearly distinguish versions, honoring historical differences rather than collapsing them into a single label.
Lineages & Transmission at Kōchiku Kai:
Version Clarification:
When a piece exists in multiple streams, Kōchiku Kai maintains distinct version labeling to reflect historical differences. For example:
The Kochiku Kai
The Kōchiku Kai was founded by Steven Casano, Dai Shihan (光竹, Kōchiku), who has dedicated over 30 years of study, research, and performance to transmitting these honkyoku. The organization serves as a careful steward of multiple historical streams, helping students connect with both the technical and spiritual essence of the shakuhachi.
Learning at Kōchiku Kai
Students explore each lineage with respect and depth, understanding that variations in repertoire reflect historical and stylistic context. The goal is not only skill but also a living connection to the rich heritage of shakuhachi honkyoku. Lessons emphasize:
Lesson Information
Lesson Options:
To schedule a lesson, please contact me by email.
A Path for All Levels
Kōchiku Kai offers a supportive and flexible environment, open to students of all levels. Whether exploring shakuhachi as a meditative practice or pursuing formal certification, you’ll find a path that meets your personal goals.
A Journey Through Sound
At Kōchiku Shakuhachi, music is more than performance—it is a spiritual practice and form of personal cultivation. Teaching emphasizes technique, musical expression, breath, body awareness, and the profound stillness found between the notes.
I
Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned musician, or drawn to the spiritual depth of the shakuhachi, the Kōchiku Kai offers a welcoming, structured path for learning. Music becomes a means of inner reflection—each lesson a practice in sound, breath, and presence.
Through private lessons and workshops, I guide students in:
- Honkyoku (traditional solo repertoire)
- Gaikyoku (traditional and modern ensemble repertoire)
- Traditional Japanese notation (Chikuho and Kinko)
- Developing a deeper connection to sound, silence, breath
Kōchiku Kai: Lineage and Learning
Kōchiku Kai is dedicated to the study, preservation, and transmission of shakuhachi honkyoku across multiple historical streams. Our focus is on authentic transmission, preserving the integrity of each lineage while guiding students in both technical mastery and spiritual depth.
Guiding Principle:
All pieces and styles are taught according to the direct line of transmission from teacher to student. When a piece exists in multiple streams, we clearly distinguish versions, honoring historical differences rather than collapsing them into a single label.
Lineages & Transmission at Kōchiku Kai:
- Chikuho-ryū (Sakai II lineage)
- Transmission: Chikuho Sakai II ⇢ Riley Lee & Robert Herr ⇢ Steven Kōchiku
- Focus: the Koten Honkyoku, Gaikyoku, Minyo, Nezasa-ha, and modern compositions of the early Chikuho Lineage.
- Yokoyama Katsuya Transmission (Kinko-based honkyoku)
- Transmission: Yokoyama Katsuya ⇢ Ishikawa Toshimitsu ⇢ Steven Kōchiku. Also had private lessons/workshops with Yokoyama Katsuya, Teruo Furuya, and Kakizakai Kaoru.
- Focus: The Dōkyoku and Kinko repertoire and transmitted by Yokoyama Katsuya. Also the Azuma-Ryū repertoire of Fukuda Rando.
- Jin Nyodō Lineage
- Transmission: Living National Treasure Zenyoji Keisuke ⇢ Steven Kōchiku
- Focus: San Kyorei (Chōshi-Kyorei, Koku, Mukaiji) associated with Fudaiji Temple & Nezasa-ha, Echigo Sanya.
- Kinpu-ryū Shakuhachi Honkyoku (Hirosaki transmission, Nezasaha-ha)
- Transmission: Prefecturally Designated Cultural Treasure for Kinpu-ryū shakuhachi, Dr. Yamada Fumio ⇢ Steven Kōchiku
- Focus: formally recognized Kinpu repertoire, preserving traditional technique and expression of the Hirosaki, Aomori region of Japan.
Version Clarification:
When a piece exists in multiple streams, Kōchiku Kai maintains distinct version labeling to reflect historical differences. For example:
- Nezasaha — Chikuho-ryū version (Sakai II lineage)
- Nezasaha — Kinpu-ryū — Nezasaha-ha (Hirosaki transmission)
The Kochiku Kai
The Kōchiku Kai was founded by Steven Casano, Dai Shihan (光竹, Kōchiku), who has dedicated over 30 years of study, research, and performance to transmitting these honkyoku. The organization serves as a careful steward of multiple historical streams, helping students connect with both the technical and spiritual essence of the shakuhachi.
Learning at Kōchiku Kai
Students explore each lineage with respect and depth, understanding that variations in repertoire reflect historical and stylistic context. The goal is not only skill but also a living connection to the rich heritage of shakuhachi honkyoku. Lessons emphasize:
- Honkyoku interpretation/nuance as historically transmitted
- Connection to both the sound and the spiritual essence of the music
Lesson Information
Lesson Options:
- Online: Worldwide via Discord
- In-person: Hawai‘i
- 30-minute lesson – $30
- 45-minute lesson – $45
- 60-minute lesson – $60
To schedule a lesson, please contact me by email.
A Path for All Levels
Kōchiku Kai offers a supportive and flexible environment, open to students of all levels. Whether exploring shakuhachi as a meditative practice or pursuing formal certification, you’ll find a path that meets your personal goals.
A Journey Through Sound
At Kōchiku Shakuhachi, music is more than performance—it is a spiritual practice and form of personal cultivation. Teaching emphasizes technique, musical expression, breath, body awareness, and the profound stillness found between the notes.
I
Recording Session with Riley Lee
|
At Yokoyama Katsuya's favorite noodle shop with my teacher, Ishikawa Toshimitsu. Shin-
Osaka Station
|
Lesson with Yokoyama Katsuya ca. 2000. Okayama, Japan
|
Purchasing Shakuhachi
I often get questions about purchasing shakuhachi. Below are some resources you may find useful. For my students, I do have shakuhachi available for purchase, but at this time I am not selling flutes to individuals outside the Kōchiku Kai student community.
Japan Shakuhachi (used and new instruments available)