Shakuhachi Concert (£10/£4)

Immerse yourself in the sound of the shakuhachi – the quintessential sound of Japan.

Licensed shakuhachi shihan (master) Markus Guhe takes Japan's oldest bamboo flute on a journey from its mythical beginnings through its long and fascinating history into the 21st century. 

In this concert Markus takes different musical styles and turns them into a riveting, multi-faceted show. The programme features honkyoku (the traditional shakuhachi solo repertoire created by the komuso as meditation practice), min'yo (happy folk tunes) and shakuhachi with live electronics.

Come to find out how the komuso (mysterious masterless samurai turned mendicant Zen monks) used the shakuhachi not only as a tool for meditation but also as a weapon. Hear the story how in the Edo era they managed to obtain a government decree giving them the monopoly to play the shakuhachi – turning them into government spies in return. Get an insight into the many different musical genres that shakuhachi has and is being used for: from ensemble music and folk music to modern soundscapes.