Shakuhachi, Japanese Bamboo Flute: Honkyoku Music from the Japanese Buddhist Tradition

The Japanese bamboo flute known as the shakuhachi has captivated the minds and hearts of listeners for centuries. Remarkably simple in design, its sound is at once emotional and spiritual, and capable of great depth. The traditional music for shakuhachi, known as honkyoku, has been the music of Zen meditation for over 1000 years.

NORA NOHRAKU SUGGS, shakuhachi, received her Jun-shihan and Shihan certifications from the NYC Kyo-Shin-An dojo of Dai-Shihan James Nyoraku Schlefer, and has also studied with Kurahashi Yodo II of Kyoto, Japan, and Australia’s Dr. Riley Lee. She teaches, performs, and records on both shakuhachi and Western flute. Dr. Suggs is a graduate of Houston’s Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine, with extensive private education in music and degrees in biology, English literature, medicine, and surgery. Dr. Suggs is the flutist and Artistic Director of the chamber music ensemble SATORI, and for over 20 years has also played with the classical guitar and flute duo Two Part Invention. She has taught on the music faculty at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, and the Community Music School of the Lehigh Valley, and currently teaches privately.