Bonchiku Hoshi is a professional shakuhachi maker in the traditional manner: he has been making these traditional Japanese bamboo flutes for 25 years. Using hand tools and all natural materials, he crafts each flute to have it's own unique voice, sometimes taking as long as 3 years to make one instrument. Essential to the shakuhachi maker's toolbox is the ability to play the traditional and contemporary repertoire at a high level. Bonchiku is a master player in the Tozan school and studied Fuké honkyoku under Mitsuhashi Kifu.
Born in Kyoto. Japan, he started his career in both making and playing at the age of 20. His instruments are recognized and played by many leading players in Japan, such as Mitsuhashi Kifu and Kohachiro Miyata to name a few. He has performed in UNESCO concerts with Mitsuhashi Kifu and the koto player Nanae Yoshimura, and received a Japan Foundation grant to perform in Canada. His work in reproducing historical Gagaku shakuhachi is recognized by the Japan Ministry of Culture. He immigrated to Canada from Japan just a few years ago.
Tamai Chikusen, Bonchiku's teacher of shakuhachi making, was a revered teacher with whom Bonchiku studied for many years. His gentleness and patience were an inspiration to the young Bonchiku. He remembers only one occasion when Chikusen-sensei lost patience with a difficult flute and threw it to the floor in frustration.
Bonchiku seeks balance in tone quality, richness of overtones and ease of playing in his shakuhachi. He chooses not to adhere to any particular school or sect but has developed a unique way of crafting the bore so that his shakuhachi can be played with an 'old style' mellow sound or the more 'modern style' which has a strong clear focused sound, often used for playing modern pieces.
Bonchiku is fastidious in his craftsmanship and his shakuhachi have a look, feel and sound that is unique. To see Bonchiku shakuhachi for sale follow this link
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