"Shakuhachi Roots" 

Bamboo Harvesting Trip and Pilgrimage to Japan

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Al harvesting in Kumamoto in 2008

Testimonials:

"I truly thank you for this great opportunity and
fantastic encounters. Lo and behold, I found so many things about Japan and the people here which I did not notice before. With Canadian
perspectives, things looked fresh and people appeared differently (in the most positive way). I personally learned so many things from spirited bamboo lovers. The trip was sometimes intensive and demanding (only physically) but the reward was tremendous. I truly believe that the trip deserves being called pilgrimage as we went through some deep spiritual moments. I was certain that my wonderful experiences had largely been prepared by you and based on your efforts in the previous years. The people in BC are very fortunate to have a teacher like you (and I would say you are lucky, too, to have such wonderful folks in BC!)"

                              ---Koji Matsunobu (Roots #4)

                                  Saga, Japan

"Once again Al did a great job in organizing the trip and helping everything run smoothly. We had lots of shakuhachi music training and exposure, and got to experience some of the hidden wonders of Japan. My playing has improved since the trip, and I am looking forward to making flutes from the bamboo that I harvested myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip."

                                ---Peter Smith (2nd time on)

                                    Vancouver, BC, Canada

"The Shakuhachi Roots Pilgrimage is a journey never to be forgotten. It is a journey through Japan that cannot be seen by common tourists, because shakuhachi opened a lot of doors for us in many holy places. A unique opportunity to experience all styles of the shakuhachi world and meet many Master players that will expand your awareness about your-Self and the possibilities of shakuhachi as a deep spiritual practice. I am changed for life !!!!"

                                              ---Matheus Fereirra

                                                  Sao Paulo, Brazil

"Intense and wonderful, a great opportunity to see Japan in a way most people never do. To be warmly welcomed into the homes of some of the finest shakuhachi makers and players was a rare treat. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in expanding their experience of the shakuhachi, as well as to people interested in the spiritual side of Japanese culture."

                                              ---Oliver Henry,

                                                  Boulder, CO, USA

"It was an absolutely fantastic journey, passionately planned and lead by Alcvin."

                                           ---Darren Stone,

                                           Vancouver, BC, Canada

"On this exciting and educational journey  I experienced life in modern day Japan and shared in some of their ancient traditions."

                                            ---Jean Mihell     

                                                Victoria, BC, Canada

"My shakuhachi lessons were supurb!! Shrines were fantastic! Temple was phenomenal! Shopping was great!....Everything was so out of this world beautiful. I can’t wait to get back home, to Japan."

                                          ---Ronan Nanning     

                                            Vancouver, BC, Canada

"The trip was great because it was both "off the beaten track" and 'behind closed doors'. In fact it attracted my wife and my mother to join me--both not shakuhachi students."

                                            ---Peter Smith

                                            Vancouver, BC, Canada

"Wonderful Adventure!"

                                            ---Paris Smith

                                            Vancouver, BC, Canada

"Awesome trip, Al. SUGOI!"

                         ---John Paul Sicotte (2nd time on)

                             Edmonton, AB, Canada

"We may have jokingly called Bamboo Roots 3 "x-treme shakuhachi", but it did give us a lingering high. As the veteran of the three tours, I can attest to the fact that this is a true pilgrimage in the spiritual sense. Experiences with beliefs and practices of Shinto as well as Zen, Jodo Shu, and Shingon Buddhism complemented our flute activities. Bamboo digging in the forest and playing in the company of welcoming Japanese friends is inspirational."

                           --- Jane Kilthau (3rd time on)

                                Little Neck, New York, USA

Alcvin places importance not only on playing shakuhachi, but also on experiencing the beauties of Japanese culture first hand within Japan herself; and most importantly making one's own, individual jinashi Shakuhachi. Every other year in late autumn, Alcvin arranges a trip to Japan pilgrimaging to sacred sites, studying with master teachers, and harvesting bamboo. Participants spend two or more days harvesting amongst the fresh air and beauty of Japan's mountainous countryside. During the field trip, members are trained how to select, harvest, and dry bamboo for making their own shakuhachi. Other activities on the trip include visiting Kyoto Meianji, Koukokuji in Wakayama and other sacred shakuhachi places of Japan. You can read about our first "Roots Pilgrimage" in 2004 here and our second one in Nov. 2005 here. Our most recent trip can be read here. The 2005 photo journal can be viewed here. The 2008 photo journal will be up soon.

This year (2008) we harvested in Kumamoto and Nagano. (Note: the more bamboo your harvest, you will have to pay more for shipping cost to send back to Canada or your home country.)

We also explored more of Koya-san and visited the great komuso temple, Koukokuji in Wakayama Prefecture for the first time. Of course we will be studying with Yoshinobu Taniguchi, Yoshio Kurahashi, Atsuya Okuda, and Kaoru Kakizakai.

November is one of the best times to go to Japan as he plane fares are quite low and the weather is excellent, not to mention the spectacular color displays of autumn leaves' colours. And of course the bamboo is ready for harvesting!
 
Please keep in mind that this schedule is relatively flexible. If you want to alter it in any way to your needs please feel free. Otherwise it is encouraged that everyone stick together for group solidarity and support, especially for those first-time visitors to Japan. The maximum number of participants for this trip is 5 so please reserve your space soon! Total estimated cost of this trip is about $7000.00.

Please confirm if you will be joining the trip and if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Purpose:

The aim of this trip is to give shakuhachi students the opportunity to connect back to the roots of the shakuhachi flute. Learning shakuhachi is not just a mechanical learning of notes on a page, but a whole cultural experience which entails physically and spiritually feeling the country of the shakuhachi's origin, Japan.

This trip is physically demanding and culturally challenging so it is imperative that you be in good physical and mental shape and recommended that you purchase travel insurace before the excursion.

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

*Sun, Nov 2*
Arrive in Japan (Osaka Airport) –
Check into ryokan in Kyoto

*Mon, Nov 3*
Rest day. Sight see around Kyoto.

*Tues, Nov 4* (Start Japan Rail Pass)
Travel to Mineyama

* Workshop at the home of Taniguchi Yoshinobu

*Wed, Nov 5*
* Morning lesson w/ Taniguchi
* back to Kyoto, rest

*Thurs, Nov 6*

Travel to Kyushu
Fukuoka
* visit Hakata Itcho-ken temple

*Fri, Nov 7*
Travel to Kumamoto

* visit with Shiratsuchi Koko (student of Nishimura

Koryu)
* tour Kumamoto Castle

*Sat, Nov 8*
* bamboo harvesting with Jeff Cairns and Tsurugi Kyomudo -

* onsen (hot spring bath)

*Sun, Nov 9*

* Visit Mt. Aso, honkyoku monk
* enkai (party) & performance with Wakanakai group at izakaya (bar)

*Mon, Nov 10*

Travel Wakayama to visit Koukokuji Temple

Check in at Rengejoin on Koya-san

*Tues, Nov 11*
Sightsee Koya-san

* Meet with Nesaza-ha shakuhachi teacher, Sudo Shuho-sensei

*Wed, Nov 12*

Koya-san

*Visit Koukokuji

*Thurs, Nov 13*

Day trip to Nara -

* visit with Yamaguchi Shugetsu
* performance with Yamaguchi Tomoko

*Fri, Nov 14*
Kyoto
* group lesson with Kurahashi -

*Sat, Nov 15*

Kyoto
* free day

*Sun, Nov 16*
Kyoto* free day

*Mon, Nov 17*
Chichibu
* travel to Chichibu
* lessons with Kakizakai (1:00pm - 5:00pm)

*Tues, Nov 18*

Tokyo
* travel to Tokyo
* Visit workshop of Dan Shin Ku

*Wed, Nov 19*
Tokyo
* free day
* shopping at Mejiro shakuhachi store

*Thurs, Nov 20*
Tokyo

* free day
* lessons with Okuda -

*Fri, Nov 21*
Day trip to Kyoto
* Market shopping
* Head to Chikukita

*Sat, Nov 22*

* travel to Chikukita
* bamboo harvesting (taketorikai)
* enkai (party) & performance with Zensabo students

*Sun, Nov 23*
Chikukita -
* bamboo oiling (abura nuki)
* return to Tokyo

*Mon, Nov 24*
Return to Kyoto
* Free day

*Tuesday, Nov 25*
Official End of Trip
(Last day of Japan Rail Pass)

BAMBOO CULMS

EACH CONNECTED TO THE OTHERS
THE SAME ONCE A FLUTE

Bamboo Harvesting, Nagano, Japan

by Jane Kilthau