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

Transcending the ages, the profound melodies of the Japanese traditional instrument, the shakuhachi, bring quiet and peace to our hearts.

The shakuhachi pieces passed down through the generations carry the breath of nature and people’s emotions, and their tones move those of us living in the present day as well.

In this article, we have gathered shakuhachi masterpieces that resonate with the soul.

From works woven by our predecessors to pieces that harmonize classical sonorities with contemporary essence, we have selected a wide range.

If you wish to experience the spirit of Wa or are interested in Japanese traditional music, please take your time and enjoy.

Playlist

A Collection of Moving Shakuhachi Masterpieces | Beautiful Japanese Melodies That Stir the Heart
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastmindfulness of breathingShakuhachi Classical HonkyokuThe deep spirituality of the shakuhachi and its soundscape of silence
2eastKoto and Shakuhachi Duet “Ichikotsu”Hozan YamamotoLiving National Treasure Yamamoto Hōzan: The Beauty of Traditional Music
3eastTozan-ryu Original Piece “Yachiyo”First Nakaō TozanA celebratory dialogue of two shakuhachi and a fusion of Japanese and Western styles
4eastTozan-ryu honkyoku ‘Momiji’ (Autumn Leaves)First-Generation Nakao TozanA renowned shakuhachi duet portraying autumn in Kyoto
5eastoffering (to a deity or the deceased); tributeShakuhachi Classical HonkyokuThe sound of the shakuhachi cleanses the heart, immersing one in silence.
6eastbonfireMasamine NomuraMasamine Nomura’s ethereal koto piece, A Prayer for the Future
7eastDocumentary film “Shakuhachi: One Voice, One Lifetime” main themeKinohachiAn inspiring theme song that resonates with the soul of the shakuhachi
8eastThe Legend of AshitakaJoe HisaishiJoe Hisaishi’s music expresses nature and humanity.
9eastA and BHozan YamamotoKohzan Yamamoto’s Shakuhachi Solo: The Resonance of Bamboo and Spirituality
10eastNovember Steps, Tenth SectionToru TakemitsuToru Takemitsu’s Music: The Beauty and Spirituality of the Shakuhachi
11eastSong of the TravelerRando FukudaThe melancholic, homesick melody of the shakuhachi resonates in the heart.
12eastSong of the PloversYoshizawa KengyōDepicting the scene of waves and the chirping of plovers
13eastShakuhachi Duet: BambooHozan YamamotoShakuhachi works by Yamamoto Hōzan expressing the vitality of bamboo
14eastPoem No. 2Teizo MatsumuraA work in which the shakuhachi’s serenity and power stir the heart
15eastSong of the Hu JiaMasamine NomuraMoving music woven by the shakuhachi and koto
16eastThe Path of the WindJoe HisaishiThe allure of The Path of the Wind played on the shakuhachi
17eastDistant sound of deerShakuhachi Classical HonkyokuHonkyoku for the shakuhachi are performed by multiple schools.
18eastTozan-ryu Honkyoku ‘Kogarashi’First Nakaō TozanTozan-ryu honkyoku, likening the Great Kanto Earthquake to a wintry gale (kogarashi)
19eastCrane’s NestingShakuhachi Classical HonkyokuThe story of “Tsuru” (The Crane), a representative masterpiece for the shakuhachi
20eastSinging Dragon in the VoidShakuhachi Classical HonkyokuOrigin of the Kinko-ryu shakuhachi piece 'Ginryu Kokū'
21eastYobi-dake, uke-dakeShakuhachi Etiquette and Communication Methods
22eastBanshikichō / ShinkoreA difficult Kinko-ryu honkyoku piece for an 1.8 shaku flute.
23eastdescending leavesTraditional pieces of shakuhachi classical honkyoku
24eastAkita SugagakiKinko-ryu honkyoku of Akita folk songs
25eastEchigo MitaniShakuhachi Sanya handed down at Myoanji Temple in Echigo
26eastAnvil Nest CageShakuhachi Honkyoku 'Kinutá', Kinko-ryū ura suite
27eastThe Mind Unattached (Song)A striking piece composed by Ru Dao-Sheng during his visit to Shanghai
28eastPurple Bell MethodA shakuhachi piece by Ikkyu Sojun, simple and cheerful.
29eastReverie on Reeds and BellsTransmission of Kinko-ryū Honkyoku and Ashi-kusa Reibo
30eastKirikai ReimouLegendary piece 'Koku' from the classical shakuhachi honkyoku repertoire
31eastAkebono-styleShakuhachi in the Akebono mode, traditional music of the mid-Edo period
32eastHifumi Hachi Gaeshi ModeA Kinko-ryu prelude piece composed in the low register
33eastHoteiken MitaniTransmission of the shakuhachi classical piece, San’ya no Kyoku
34eastUchigae KyoreiKinko-ryu Shakuhachi Classical Honkyoku: Kyo-Rei
35eastPine and Rock Hermitage Bell LamentMusical tradition of Shakuhachi classical honkyoku: the Oshu school’s Reibo
36eastNagashi RinboThe Konesa school’s shakuhachi honkyoku, with a tone suffused with sorrow
37eastKinsan KyoreiTraditional music of the Kinko school of shakuhachi
38eastMeguro LionLegends of Lion Dances and the History of the Kinko School
39eastRinbo-ryuA traditional shakuhachi piece. There is a tragic lovers’ double suicide in its legend.
40eastKumoi ShishiShakuhachi ‘Kumoi-jishi’ is a traditional piece of the Kinko-ryu school.
41eastThe Song of the Sound PillarKinko-ryu's Kinu no Sugomori Mae-buki piece
42eastMoon over the PeakOne of the Tozan-ryu honkyoku pieces: the scenery of a mountain peak and the moon.
43eastMelancholic modeShakuhachi honkyoku for praying for victory in the Russo-Japanese War
44eastPhoenix General ChickA classic honkyoku piece for shakuhachi, a famous composition of the Kinko-ryū school
45eastSong of AzumaShishi-mono shakuhachi honkyoku, Azuma regional tradition