The European Shakuhachi Society

Author: ESS_admin

  • ESS Online Shakuhachi Summer School, 24-25 July And 31 July-1 August

    Registration for the ESS Online Shakuhachi Summer School 2021 is now open. You can register at: http://summerschool2021.shakuhachisociety.eu/registration.

    Registrations are (1) for the whole event over two weekends, (2) for only one full weekend or (3) just the content which does not include learning pieces if you are not a player or do not wish to learn new pieces.

    Because we will have to meet again online, we have decided on exploring some new avenues to try to make the event unique. We have added some new forms of content, which participants of previous online events exprESSed an interest in. Besides the tips and techniques and the usual teaching of pieces with three renowned teachers from Japan – Fujiwara Dozan, Nagasu Tomoka and Kakizakai Kaoru – and others based in Europe, there will be opportunities to listen to people sharing their knowledge on research, on personal experiences, on shakuhachi repair/making and on composition. There will also be presentations of audio–visual materials and films including talks with their creators, and there will be four online concerts. You will also have a chance to contribute content yourself and socialise with fellow shakuhachi enthusiasts.

    Information on the event can be found here: http://summerschool2021.shakuhachisociety.eu

  • Nowhere Ii: ESS Winter Shakuhachi Festival, 6–7 February 2021

    Following on from the very succESSful online event in August, the ESS is pleased to announce that it will holding a 2-day online Winter NowHere II Festival in February 2021 showcasing some of the finest players and teachers from Japan and Europe. On offer is a real potpourri :

    • John Kaizan Neptune who has written more pieces for shakuhachi that anyone else ever and in a wide variety of genres will share with us his approach to the art of composition and show us how we can do it ourselves.
    • Three leading performers will teach us how the same piece, the iconic ‘Tsuru no Sugomori’ (The Nesting of Cranes), is approached and played by three different schools of shakuhachi. This is a unique opportunity made possible by ESS’s remit to disseminate the rich diversity of shakuhachi styles which will be insightful for players of all levels.
    • A chance to learn two honkyoku at Elementary–Intermediate level: ‘Shingetsu’ from the KSK and ‘Higo-Sashi’ from the Hijiri-kai
    • Tips and Techniques: Two sESSions on how to approach and improve your daily practice.

    Teaching materials are now available on the website for registered participants.

    Dates: 6–7 February 2021

    Special guest teachers from Japan: John Kaizan Neptune, Mizuno Kohmei

    European teachers: Helene Seiyu Codjo, Christophe Kazan Gaston, Antonio Enzan Olías, Emmanuelle Rouaud

    Fee: €30 for non-ESS members, €25 for ESS members.

    More info & registration at:
    http://nowhere2021.shakuhachisociety.eu/registration

    Technology: Zoom. Before the event, you will receive an e-mail with the links/Zoom invitations to the sESSions.

  • Hoshida Ichizan Iii

    The ESS board wishes to express its deep sadness on learning of the passing away of Hoshida Ichizan III on 14th December 2020.
    We fondly remember his lessons and performances of exceptional quality at the World Shakuhachi Festival in 2018 in London.
    He was one of the major figures of the Tozan-ryū, and his passing is a great loss to the shakuhachi world.
    We also remember him as a kind and energetic person, with a deep wish to share his knowledge.
    To his family: we are so sorry for your loss, and we send you our deepest sympathies.
    Our thoughts also go to all his loved ones. We hope that time will help to heal your pain.

    三代星田一山先生が本年12月14日にご逝去されたとの訃報に接し、ヨーロッパ尺八協会ESS役員会一同、深い悲しみに沈んでおります。思えば2018年、ESSがロンドンにて開催しましたワールド尺八フェスティバルにおいて、尺八レッスンと素晴らしい演奏の質の高さをご披露くださいました。先生は都山流の重鎮であり、尺八界にとりましても失うものが多大です。また先生は寛大かつ精力的な方で、ご自分の豊富な知識を惜しまずに共有してくださったことを懐かしく思い出します。ご家族の皆様のご悲嘆はひとしおであろうと推察いたし、衷心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。また、先生がお心に懸けておられた皆様を想い、時の経過が皆様の心の痛みを癒してくれますよう、ESS役員会一同祈っております。

    Horacio Curti
    on behalf of the European Shakuhachi Society

  • Latest ESS 2020 Newsletter

    The latest ESS members’ newsletter has been added to the Publications section.

    ESS NL Vol 1 2020

  • ESS Is Happy To Officially Announce Its 2020 Online Festival!

    NowHere2020 – The 1st ESS Online Festival
    August 1/2 + August 8/9, 2020

    In keeping with the tradition of the ESS Summer Schools, but bearing in mind the current pandemic situation, this will be an online event of 12 sessions over 4 days, each session 45 minutes in length, with a robuki and Tricks and Tips session each morning prior to the first teaching session.

    Dates: August 1-2, August 8-9, 2020

    Special guest teacher from Japan: Kurahashi Yodo II

    Non-European guest teachers: Riley Lee, Alcvin Ramos

    European teachers: Véronique Piron, Gunnar Linder, Kiku Day, Jean-François Lagrost,
    Fiore De Mattia, Thorsten Knaub, Marek Matvija, Jose Vargas.
    (Some of these teachers may also have assistants in their sessions.)

    Fee: €60 for non-ESS members, €50 for ESS members.

    More info & registration at:
    http://nowhere2020.shakuhachisociety.eu/registration

    Technology: Zoom. Before the event, you will receive an e-mail with the links/Zoom invitations to the sessions.

  • Dublin Summer School 2020 Cancelled

    It is with great regret that given the current and on-going pandemic, the ESS has come to the difficult decision to postpone the ESS Dublin 2020 Summer School. Our primary concern is always the health and safety of all our members but we would like to apologise for the inconvenience that this will inevitably cause. We are in discussion with the venue hosts and transport providers and hope to be able to provide information on the terms and process of refunds of the registration and accommodation fees shortly. We are planning to reschedule the event to the same venue and with similar dates in July 2021 and hope to invite the same teachers subject to their availability and the budget. Further details will be posted on the Dublin 2020 and the ESS websites.

    Thank you so much for your understanding and support. We hope to see you in 2021.

  • ESS Announcement (Covid-19)

    The ESS is closely monitoring recent events relating to the novel corona virus (Covid-19) and will follow international and local recommendations and advice concerning our shakuhachi events across Europe.

    In light of the present situation, the deadline for Early Bird registration for the ESS 2020 Shakuhachi Summer School in Dublin in July has been extended until further notice and all planning and registration for the event is proceeding as normal.

    The primary concern of the ESS is the protection of the health and safety of all in our community and any information regarding possible future developments which may affect our shakuhachi events this year will be posted on the ESS and Dublin 2020 websites, the ESS Forum and Facebook page and in the ESS Newsletter. Participants already registered for any of our events will also be contacted individually should the need arise.

  • 2020 ESS Summer School In Dublin

    The website for the 2020 ESS Summer School in Dublin is now live. The Summer School will take place at the University College from 30 July to 2 August.

    Please follow this link page to register. Early Bird rates are available until 17 March. There is on-site accommodation – go to the Accommodations page to book your accommodation.

  • Latest ESS Newsletter

    The latest ESS members’ newsletter has been added to the Publications section.

    English edition
    Multilingual edition

  • Sad News!

    It is with the deepest regeret that the ESS board pass on the news that Ken LaCosse – the owner of Mujitsu Shakuhachi has suddenly passed away. Ken was not only a fantastic person and friend to many of us in the shakuhachi world – he also hosted the “Shakuhachi BBQ” forum with Brian Tairaku Ritchie and made amazing shakuhachi. He pushed the limits of what was thought to be possible regarding wide bore jinashi shakuhachi! He called these exceptional shakuhachi for Taimu shakuhachi while his more “normal” shakuhachi were called Mujitsu shakuhachi. Heartfelt condolences to family and close friends!
    R.I.P dear Ken!