Here is Sasa’s foray into full back art last week. We’ve been seeing a lot of contemporary art lately so it’s easy to see why she wants to explore more than the usual blank piece of paper to paint on. A while back, some one asked her how old she was. Her reply was, “I’m six years-old, and I’m an artist.”  As I mentioned in a previous post, I hope she can hang on to this kind of openness as she grows up and becomes a professional artist (not that she has to follow in her parents footsteps ). Most practicing artists discover sooner or later that their work becomes a business. The question is how to maintain focus on what’s important and have fun doing so.

My Good friend Scott wrote a great blog entry about what it takes to be a professional artist, Check it out here: Zen-No-Mind

The shakuhachi from Okuda Sensei’s student are coming along nicely. The bores have been lacquered, blowing angles optimized for the neutral embouchure and the roots cosmetically worked. Bindings next.


I was also customizing a master level Shinzan 1.6 for a shakuhachi teacher this week. He wanted it converted it into seven-hole instrument. What a world of difference between a modern Jiari flute and the Okuda shakuhachi. Thanks to my friends, I am able to spend time with all these unique and wonderful instruments. And, as in like art, I am reminded that there are a lot of ways to experience and enjoy the shakuhachi.

So much art, so little time. Did I forget to mention… “My life rules!”