fool on the hill

Both are traditional Japanese instruments-- the shamisen is sort of like a three-stringed banjo-like instrument (it might be a distant relation to the sitar?)

The shakuhachi is an end-blown flute made of bamboo, probably related to the Chinese xiao. The shak is commonly associated with Zen Buddhism.

I used to have a few different beginner shaks, but now I have only one, a really good but inexpensive one for $450. Ones made from the root can run around $1000 or much higher.

Now If I could get my hands on a koto...

~ josh

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