Cultural Significance of the Shakuhachi

   The Shakuhachi was notably used in the practice of Fuke-Shu, a distinct sect of Zen Buddhism which was most popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Monks in this order play the shakuhachi during meditation rather than reciting chants. This reflects their belief that the concept of enlightenment is not something that can be expressed through words. Fuke-Shu monks, known as Kumoso, would wear large straw baskets over their heads which represented a lack of personal wants in service of their religion. This sect flourished during the Edo Period, which focused heavily on the value of art. Travel was strictly limited during this period, but the government gave Kumoso special permission to travel as it was part of their religious practice. In return, some Kumoso became spies for the shogunate, the ruling body of Japan at the time. One Kumoso named Kinko Kurosawa traveled around the country gathering different "honkyoku", or spiritual shakuhachi pieces, and compiled 36 of them into one collection. This became the basis for shakuhachi repertoire and helped the instrument become accessible to a secular audience in addition to its sacred role. The Fuke-Shu sect was officially abolished by the government during the Meiji Restoration, a major period in Japanese history which followed the Edo Period. The Shakuhachi instrument itself was also banned for a few years by the Meiji government due to its strong association with the shogunate.