A Collection of Moving Shakuhachi Masterpieces | Beautiful Japanese Melodies That Stir the Heart

mindfulness of breathingShakuhachi Classical Honkyoku

Sokkan by Kaoru Kakizakai

Among the classical honkyoku for shakuhachi, this piece is especially distinguished by its Zen-like character and is intended for meditation.

The performer’s very breath becomes the music, and each low, sustained tone embodies a spirit of deep self-reflection.

While the melody is simple, the sound world woven from subtle fluctuations of breath and the silence—ma—guides listeners into profound introspection.

This work for shakuhachi has also been acclaimed overseas.

Attuning your ears to its profound strains, you may feel your mind grow calm and at peace.

Koto and Shakuhachi Duet “Ichikotsu”Hozan Yamamoto

ICHIKOTSU [Koto and Shakuhachi Duet “Ichikotsu”] (Composer: Yamamoto Hōzan)

Kokusen (Living National Treasure) shakuhachi player Hozan Yamamoto composed this duet for koto and shakuhachi, built on the traditional Japanese scale “Ichikotsu-chō” and structured in three movements of fast–slow–fast.

The koto gently supports the poised, ringing melodies spun by the shakuhachi, sometimes engaging in a tense dialogue—like ripples spreading across a still water’s surface.

If you’d like to immerse yourself in a sound world where traditional Japanese beauty and contemporary sensibilities are interwoven, lend an ear to this beautiful piece.

Tozan-ryu Original Piece “Yachiyo”First Nakaō Tozan

Shakuhachi Tozan-ryu Honkyoku “Yachiyo (Eternity)”

A celebratory melody in which two shakuhachi weave a dialogue-like interplay of lines, creating a majestic and resplendent sound world.

Composed by Tozan Nakao I, founder of the Tozan school, to commemorate its 10th anniversary since its establishment in 1896.

Its structure blends the traditional “wa” timbre with Western-style contrapuntal exchanges, captivating the listener.

Written around 1916, the piece showcases Tozan Nakao I’s innovative spirit in bringing ensemble performance into shakuhachi music.

Perfect for festive occasions—and for those special days when you want to turn over a new leaf.

Tozan-ryu honkyoku 'Momiji' (Autumn Leaves)First-Generation Nakao Tozan

Tozan-ryu honkyoku 'Momiji' (Autumn Leaves)

This work conjures up beautiful scenes, as if strolling through Kyoto in autumn woven like a brocade.

Created in 1929 by Tozan Nakao I, who brought a fresh breeze of ensemble playing to the shakuhachi world, it was inspired by the autumn foliage of Takao in western Kyoto.

Its hallmarks include techniques such as canon, in which two shakuhachi chase each other with the melody, and the innovative use—unusual in traditional Japanese music—of a 5/4 meter.

The subtle sway of its rhythms invites listeners into a poetic autumnal realm.

On a long autumn night, why not lend an attentive ear to the dialog of sound woven by two shakuhachi?

offering (to a deity or the deceased); tributeShakuhachi Classical Honkyoku

Shakuhachi Honkyoku 'Tamuke' Shakuhachi: Masataka Sakurai

A classical honkyoku piece for shakuhachi that evokes a purifying sensation with a single breath rising from silence.

It is said that compassion for the departed and prayers to the divine are embedded in the very timbre of the instrument.

This piece is included on Katsuya Yokoyama’s acclaimed album “Chiku-in: The World of Katsuya Yokoyama, Shakuhachi,” which became available for streaming in March 2021.

It’s an ideal track for stepping away from the hustle of daily life to calm the mind and look deeply within.

Why not listen quietly to the beauty of ma—the space between sounds?

bonfireMasamine Nomura

Bonfire (Kagaribi) Composed by Masamine Nomura

This evocative piece of Japanese music, whose ethereal melody evokes flickering flames and a sense of hope for the future, is one of the masterpieces by koto composer Masamine Nomura.

While honoring classical traditions, Nomura continually produced new works with a modern sensibility.

Composed in celebration of the 1970 Osaka World Expo, the piece was originally written for transverse flute and later expanded to include shakuhachi and koto.

In this work, the intricate ensemble of shakuhachi and koto unfolds like flames flaring in stillness, dramatizing both their flicker and a prayer for the future.

On a night when you wish to immerse yourself in the dreamlike world woven by traditional Japanese instruments, why not savor it slowly?

Documentary film “Shakuhachi: One Voice, One Lifetime” main themeKinohachi

Documentary film “Shakuhachi: One Voice, One Lifetime” main theme

This is the main theme of the documentary film Shakuhachi: One Sound, One Lifetime, created by KINOHACHI, an artist who fuses tradition and innovation.

The deeply resonant timbre of the shakuhachi merges with a grand soundscape to gently stir the listener’s soul.

It embodies the theme of “one life in a single note,” leaving a striking impression of overwhelming spirituality and worldview.

It carries a powerful conviction—no wonder there’s an anecdote that the film’s director was so moved by KINOHACHI’s music that they decided to make the movie.

An inspiring track that’s perfect for moments when you want to contemplate the grandeur of nature.