Mystery of the Komuso | The Shogunate

The Komuso are mysterious figures of old Japan. In this video, with the help of Shawn from Renzoh Flutes and Nick from Hon-on Shakuhachi, we will seek to discover the truth behind this fascinating figures and the music they played!

The komusō (虚無僧/こむそう) were a group of Japanese mendicant monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism who flourished during the Edo period (1603–1867). Komusō were characterized by a straw basket (a sedge or reed hood known as a tengai) worn on the head, manifesting the absence of specific ego but also useful for traveling incognito. They were also known for playing solo pieces on the shakuhachi (a type of bamboo flute). These pieces, called honkyoku (“fundamental pieces”), were played during a meditative practice called suizen, in return for alms, as a method of attaining enlightenment, and as a healing modality. (Wikipedia)

Timestamps:

Intro 0:00 Komuso Appearance 2:38 The Shakuhachi 4:03 The Tengai 5:59 Honkyoku 10:07 Komuso in the Edo Period 12:43 Final Thoughts on the Komuso 23:47 How You Can Learn to Play Shakuhachi Today! 30:10

Sources Used:

“Japanese Music and Musical Instruments” by William P. Malm “The Crazy Cloud Anthology” by Ikkyu Sojun “Shakuhachi, Zen, The Fukeshu and Komuso” by James Sanford “Hitori mondo” by Hisamatsu Fūyō “Bakufu Memorandum of December 18th, 1678 (Komusō-ha Oboe)” translation by Torsten Olafsson “Kaido Honsoku” translated by Torsten Olafsson “Yearning for the Bell: a study of transmission in the shakuhachi honkyoku tradition” by Riley Lee KomusØ and “Shakuhachi-Zen” DEEG “Zen and Shakuhachi” by Yoshida Mitsukuni Makihara Ichiro, https://komusou-ichiro.com/ “Kyotaku Denki” translated by Gen’ichi Tsuge Rinzai Roku (Rinzai Recordings)

Music all preformed by Renzoh Flutes: “Kyorei” “Ryobo 霊慕 Dokyoku” “霊慕 (越後) Echigo Reibo”

Artwork and Images: Classical art and vintage photos, which in most cases can be considered public domain. Other modern artist renditions and photos, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!

Fuu Miyatani French is a Komuso Zen Priest in Japan. He plays Shakuhachi to help people, in return he receives donation.