Shakuhachi facts for kids

A shakuhachi flute.
 • Left - top view, four holes.
 • Right - bottom view, fifth hole.

The shakuhachi (尺八 (しゃくはち), IPA:) is a Japanese flute which is played vertically (up-down) like a recorder, instead of horizontally (from side to side) like the Western transverse flute. Its name means "1.8 foot", its size. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but ones made of wood or plastic exist today. It was used by the monks of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (blowing meditation).

Related pages

• Flute

Images for kids

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  Performer playing shakuhachi in 60th Himeji oshiro festival, 2009

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  American Shakuhachi Enthusiast

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  Traditional and contemporary mouthpiece design through the history of the shakuhachi.

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  Contemporary design inlaid with precision mouthpieces in the independent style of Master Zapata (Mumon Ryu Suizen Shakuhachi), using buffalo horn bone, as well as acrylic and steel in substitution for certain references.

See also

In Spanish: Shakuhachi para niños