Many thanks to all those who sent Happy Holiday wishes! I wish to express extreme gratitude to the incredibly kind community of shakuhachi players. My apologies if I do not reply in a timely manner but please know I am thinking of you all.

Just a few flutes to finish on the work bench this week and I can go Xmas shopping!

It’s always extremely busy around here due to the kids’ activities but I make it a point to stay on top of my craft. When the kids were first born the lessons stopped but these days I can study music again! Ralph just had a wonderful Honkyoku workshop this weekend. We were introduced to two old pieces, Ken Ko San from the Taizan ryu repertory and Shimo Tsuke Kyorei from the Kinko ryu rep. It’s such a treat to be able to learn and experience different pieces back to back. As always, it will take a while to be able to “own” them. In Japan, one can study the same pieces over and over again for quite sometime.

Dominic’s daughter baked a Kyorei cake. It was good

Sasa is revealing herself to be quite a renaissance artist. She dances, draws, writes stories, makes short films and is now getting into improvising with her ukulele. Here she is surrounded by her (my) instruments making a Garageband recording. I would post the recording but it’s soooo good that I’m sure some producer will steal it

Two weeks ago, Jet and I were improvising on stage of St.Marks Church for DanSpace.I’ve always wanted to play the shakuhachi in that space. It’s one of the oldest Churches in New York City but houses Danspace, an important presenter of contemporary dance. The sound was as good as it sounds in the subways
Did I say, “My life rules?”  Have a great Holiday all!
Namates, Perry