Josen: Shakuhachi Daishihan Grandmaster Craftsperson, Teacher

Walking with bamboo

Me when I was a young bamboo shoot, with bamboo shoots! 1995 or so, I think…

My connection to bamboo and flutes feels as old as I am. My Dad had a root end nan Xiao from China which had a significant impact on me when I was a kid.

My father’s Nan Xiao from 1969 — my first experience with bamboo flutes

Around age fifteen, I began crafting bamboo flutes and exploring meditation. When I encountered the shakuhachi, it unified these things in a single form.

At age nineteen in 2005 I moved to New York City to study shakuhachi. I supported myself through flute sales and a spartan lifestyle, enabling me to learn from masters like Ron Nyogetsu and travel to Kyoto to study with Kurahashi Yodo II.

A new chapter began in 2010 under the tutelage of Justin Senryu. After more than a decade with him, he honored me with the title of Daishihan “Grandmaster”, or as I prefer “senior instructor” (大師範).

Josen (alt. Seisen; 静泉) is my Chikumei and Kaimyo, or professional shakuhachi name and Dharma name (Zen Buddhism). Together, the Kanji of my name read ‘clear-mind source/spring’.

One of my first flutes, from bamboo I harvested, ‘01~’02 age, age 15~16

Timeline

1985: Born Jonathan Harrison Kypros (Κυπριανός).
2001-2002 (Ages 15-16): Began formal meditation practice and crafting bamboo flutes.
2005-2008 (Ages 19-22): Moved to NYC to study the Jin Nyodo style under Ron Nyogetsu and Kurahashi Yodo II, including study in Kyoto. Granted the maker’s name Shingetsu.
2007: Became the first person to copy and cast the bore of a Jinashi shakuhachi (initiating the development of what would become the Bell Shakuhachi).
2008: Among the first to utilize YouTube for shakuhachi instruction (older videos unfortunately deleted).
2010: Pioneered the use of Japanese Madaké bamboo grown in America for shakuhachi.
2010-2022: Studied older styles of Honkyoku from Justin Senryu for over a decade, culminating in a Daishihan (‘Grandmaster’) license (大師範), the Chikumei (‘bamboo’ shakuhachi license name), and the Kaimyo (‘Dharma name’) Josen (alt. Seisen; 静泉) meaning ‘clear-mind source/spring’.
2011: Became the first non-Japanese person to weave a Komuso shakuhachi monk Tengai “basket hat.”
2012: Released the first publicly available iteration of the Bell Shakuhachi for sale, the world’s first Jinashi and Jimori copies.
2015: Authored Your Shakuhachi Journey.
2018: Released the second iteration of The Bell Shakuhachi, made from bamboo eco-composite.
2023: Received Zen Buddhist Precepts and the Rakusu.
2023: Relocated to France from America.