|
| Books and Articles
For orders or more information please contact me at the following address: 
|
The Single Tone--A Personal Journey Through Shakuhachi Music
|
-
The long awaited English version of Shakuhachi Odyssey is finally available. The Single Tone has been re-written for English language readers with the inclusion of more materials and photographs.
-
-
Ordering Information:
In Japan: Price: ¥1575 (plus shipping charges)
Mail order: Contact Christopher Yohmei at the mail address above.
Also available at Tokyo stores Mejiro Shakuhachi (03-3950-0051)
-
-
You may also order a signed copy directly from the author. Please make out a check for $20 to cover the book price, postage and handling to Christopher Blasdel and send to: No. 1003, 5-15-1 Kamisoshigaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-0065, JAPAN
|
| |
|
| From the back cover:
The Single Tone is the quintessential insider's view of Japan and its culture.Originally written in Japanese and the winner of the Rennyo Award for non-fiction, Christopher Yohmei Blasdel--an American who has resided in Japan since 1972--writes about his experiences studying, performing and teaching the traditional Japanese vertical shakuhachi bamboo flute. His encounters with various Japanese--from world class artists,wealthy patrons, respected scholars and arrogant diplomats--provide thoughtful insight into the Japanese mind. He also demonstrates the universal appeal of the shakuhachi by performing it around the world: in the jungles of Guatemala, in the ancient banquet halls of the Republic of Georgia and the wind swept Indian reservations of New Mexico.
|
| "Shakuhachi music is honest, profound and beautiful. Blasdel has the passion and spirit that embodies these characteristics and is a pioneer who faces both the Japanese and world community in order to invite others to participate in this extraordinary music."
--Yokoyama Katsuya, shakuhachi performer, Director, International Shakuhachi Kenshukan
|
| "Blasdel's insights are a goldmine for cultural studies and ethnomusicological scholars considering cross-cultural interaction and learning."
--Dr. Ricardo Trimillos, Chief of Asian Studies Program and Professor in Ethnomusicology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa |
| "In The Single Tone, Blasdel explores the contradictions inherent in the study of traditional Japanese music by an outsider. He demonstrates the humanity superceeds even the strongest cultural barriers when philosophy and love of music are the guides."
--Brian Ritchie, Bassist, Violent Femmes, shakuhachi performer |
| "Blasdel's love and passion for the shakuhachi permeate the work, but the most interesting thing about the book are his observations on the Japanese culture."
--Asahi Shinbun newspaper,Tokyo |
|
|
|
| A Shakuhachi Odyssey |
-
The book, published in Japanese by Kawade Shobou Shinsha,
was released to bookstores across Japan on March 20, 2000. ¥1600.
|
 |
This book, which was awarded the 6th Rennyo Award for non-fiction writing in Japan, describes the author's arrival in Japan, the meeting and long years of tutelage under shakuhachi master Goro Yamaguchi and encounters with artists like the sculÆtor Isamu Noguchi and ethnomusicologist Fumio Koizumi. A chapter on the history of the shakuhachi sheds light on some of the myths concerning the instrument and the meaning they hold for the present day. There is also much written about the present day system of music education in Japan and the author's peregrinations about the world performing shakuhachi and Japanese music. An English verison is in the works. |
|
|
The Shakuhachi, a Manual for Learning
|
 |
This is the most comprehensive guide to learning the shakuhachi (Kinko style) and history of the instrument in the English language. It was co-authored with KAMISANGO Yuukou and publlished in 1988, Ongaku no Tomo-sha. A practice CD of the included excercises, performed by Christopher Yohmei, is also available. For ordering this book and other shakuhachi goods contact:
USA
Monty Levenson, P.O. Box 294, Willits, CA. 95490. Tel: 707-459-3402, Fax: 707-459-3434, E-mail: monty@shakuhachi.com or his web site: www.shakuhachi.com
Japan
Ontomo Enterprises, 6-30 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0825, Japan. Tel: 03-3207-9370, Fax: 03-3235-2110
Mejiro Shakuhachi Shop, Daikan Plaza 2F, 1-31-8 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, 169-0075, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3232-1296, Fax: 03-3232-1499
E-mail: info@mejiro-jp.com or their web site: www.mejiro-jp.com |
Selected publications
In English:
"The Japanese Performing Arts, An Overview for Presenters," an on-line essay about how to understand and present Japanese performing arts in the US, part of the National Association of Japan-America Socities extensive web site.
"Last Breath of a Shakuhachi Great," elegy to the late shakuhachi master, Yamaguchi Goro, The Japan Times, January 8, 1999
The Shakuhachi-- a Short Descriptive Essay, 1997
"Wakanomiya," fictional short story featured in Wingspan, Dec. 1995
"Plagiarism Versus Creative Quotation in the Music of Thailand and Japan," paper given for the conference "Modern Art in Thailand 1932--1992, Changing Perspectives" Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, August, 1992
"Shakuhachi," liner notes for Shakuhachi, Traditional Japanese Music, King Records, 1990
"Seven Sound Wonders of Japan," Mainichi Daily News, April 15, 1990
"A View of a Performer--The Secret of Balance," Mainichi Daily News, May 8, 1989
"As One Body: A 'Hadaka' Matsuri," Mainichi Daily News, January 4, 1988
"Japan's Music and Education," Asahi Evening News, July 19th--August 9, 1985 (Weekly Series)
"Japanese Music Performed in Hamburg," Asahi Evening News, July 24, 1987
"The Shakuhachi, Aesthetics of a Single Tone," The Japan Quarterly, April/June, 1984
"Anatomy of a Japanese Festival: The Great Mid-Winter On Matsuri," Hougaku v.1, Spring 1983
|
In Japanese:
"Kakure Meijin--Nishimatsu Bun'ichi" (Nishimatsu Bun'ich--The Hidden Master), Liner notes for Song of the Soul, The Jiuta of Nishimatsu Bun'ichi, Teichiku Records, 1993.
"Bankoku no Mikazuki no Gaskushi Tachi" (The Crescent Moon Musicians from Bangkok), Kodou July, 1993.
"Shakuhachi no Isan" (The Legacy of the Shakuhachi) Koumeitou Shinbun July 4, 1993.
"Ongaku to Wajutsuno Mah--Bunya Sensei no Joururi" (The Magic of Narration & Music, Bunya Sensei's Joruri), Liner notes for Okamoto Bunya, Shinnai Bushi Originals, Teichiku Records, 1992.
"Geijutsu e no Shien to Mushien, Mattaku Kojintekina Yotsu no Taikendan" (Support and Non-Support of the Arts: Four Personal Experiences), Kigyou to Bunka no Taiwa, Tokai University Press, 1991.
"Boku no Hosomichi, Tabi to Taiken no Danshou" (My 'Narrow Road,' Travels and Experiences in Japan), Tabi to Rekishi, Jan.--Dec., 1987 (Series).
"Kokyou e no Ensou Ryokou" (Performing Hougaku in the United States), Kikan Hougaku, Spring, 1985.
"Geijutsu Daigaku wo Kangaeru" (The Role of Art Universities), Kikan Hougaku, Autumn, 1984.
"Houki kara Gakki e no Shakuhachi" (The Shakuhachi, From an Instrument of Dharma to an Instrument of Music), Kikan Hougaku, Spring, 1984.
"Shakuhachi wo Kangaeru, Dionyusosu oyobi Apolontekina Hyougenhou ni tsuite" (Dionysian and Appolonian Forms of Expression in Shakuhachi Music), Masters Thesis, Tokyo University of Fine Arts, 1982.
"Denshi Ongaku no Danshou" (Thoughts on Electronic Music), Anthropos, Spring, 1981.
" Hougaku to Jazu, Fyuujon ni Miru Atarashii Kaiten" (Jazz and Hougaku, New Development in Fusion), Jazz Swing Journal, Dec., 1980.
"Kami kara no Izanai--Fue" (The Flute, A Beckoning from the Gods),Geijutsu Shincho, October, 1977.
|
|
|
|
