We went to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City a few days ago. It was a museum week as the kids were on a school break. We are so lucky to be in a city rich in the arts. On every corner is a wonderful surprise. On the way back from the museum, we walked by a public atrium that had bamboo growing inside. As we went in,  I noticed a gathering or informal meeting of a group of Korean Ball Joint Doll makers taking place. The dolls were hand made by young women of all colors. I was really cool to see the hand crafted work of young women. Sasa was drawn to them immediately and wandered among them freely.

Jet, however, dashed off to the bamboo. I happened to have a shakuhachi with me (when do I not?) and proceeded to play it cautiously as there were Atrium police around. It’s amazing how once you are mindful, even a soft sweet tone can sound like a canon. I blew for only a few seconds when suddenly I noticed two young Neo-hippies approaching me. “Oh oh”, I thought, but then I notice a look of excitement on their faces. One immediately blurted out, “Is that a Shakuhachi?”  “Can you play it?” asked the other. I proceeded to noodle around softly as the Atrium policeman took notice of us. He didn’t move from his corner but just stared our way. Can you imagine the sight? It probably looked like I was smoking a bong with these young long hairs. We were probably neutralized by the sight of Jet running circles around us as I played. The music probably helped. When I was stopped playing one of the guys said, “I knew it was a shakuhachi the second I heard it. That is the sound of the shakuhachi.”  Then he said he should get back to the group of doll makers, his sister heads the group. “They’re a weird bunch”, he said as he looked their way with a smile. I said, “Yeah, imagine a group of shakuhachi makers sitting around with their flutes.” I sent to them to the Shakuhachi Forum as we departed ways

Then Jet ran off to a Big Apple. In case anyone is interested, Jet shows a lot of natural talent for shakuhachi making:

Namaste, Perry