Fix a Brog
Hanz and Adam Spill the Tea
“Learning tea ceremony has given me a tangible way to interact with objects while following strict arrangement, physical posturing, and timing protocols. Tea has also helped me learn how to behave a little better in the context of Japanese arts; this is an ongoing lesson for me.” — Adam Robinson
Fish Nor Fowl
Nearing the end of Japan Tour ‘24—back to new episodes next week!
I wrote this in anticipation of my first international travel since the pandemic, and my first time playing Japanese music in Ireland.
Chip Off the Old Legacy
Mid-season hiatus continues which means reruns! New brogs March 30th!
Confrontation aversion, family history, and a few stray thoughts…
Smash that Bell (of Enlightenment)!
While I’m away on tour, I’ll be republishing a few of the early entries starting with this one. I’ll be back at the end of March!
I’ve read essays here and there asking, what can be done to preserve the shakuhachi? I don’t think the shakuhachi is going anywhere, frankly…But what about the tradition of shakuhachi? That’s a bit shakier ground.
It’s Hard Out There for a Monk
The samurai who chose to become monks did so out of disillusionment with war and killing. Why are these not the stories we idolize?
Argumentum ad Ignorantiam
“The need to assert Christianity’s influence in every aspect of life and culture is not research or education, nor is it an honest expression of faith; it’s zealotry.”
A Song of Plovers
A look at four generations via four different takes on Chidori no Kyoku…
Zen and the Art of Jigs and Reels…
Alicia asked: One of my main interests these days is hearing musicians' ideas about mindset while they are engaged in playing--the meditative qualities involved in making music. I don't know much about shakuhachi, other than experiencing the meditation of it through your playing. I'd love to hear anything you'd like to share around those topics. Bonus if you want to extend that to trad as well!
Here goes nothing!
“You Really Should Smile More…”
Robert asked for, “a post dedicated to the fine art of the shakuhachi embouchure!” so here we go! Writing about embouchure is a bit like trying to describe smell using color, but I gave it my best…
