Komuso Shakuhachi Monks

My sources for Komuso shakuhachi history

For Komuso shakuhachi history, my sources include the amazing and dedicated works of 國見昌史, Riley Lee, Kiku Day, Justin Senryu Williams, and Torsten Mukuteki Olafsson.

Who were the Komuso shakuhachi monks?

Undoubtedly, the most iconic image next to the root end shakuhachi is that of the Komuso shakuhachi monks. I hope that after you read this that you’ll have come to better know these oft misunderstood Komuso. First, let’s begin by looking at the predecessors to the Komuso, the Komoso.

The Komoso

In mid 15th century literature we began to see mentions of shakuhachi playing ‘beggar monks’ called Komoso or ‘straw mat monks’ 薦僧/菰僧. Their name comes from the fact that they carried straw mats around with them to sleep on or to use as shelter from the elements. The Komoso would play shakuhachi for alms or donations, however, they were mostly laypersons of ‘commoner’ birth. In Japanese, the word for Buddhist alms begging is Takuhatsu (often pronounced “Takahatsu”).

Uchiyama Kosho Roshi (1912-1998) wrote, “The attitude of one on takuhatsu must be one of equanimity, whether no donation is received or a large one is received. In fact, the attitude of the mendicant on takuhatsu is one of giving an opportunity to people to materially support a life of one dedicated to zazen and the teaching of the Buddhadharma.”

As for their shakuhachi, the root end of the bamboo hadn’t come into use yet, as we saw previously with Ikkyu’s shakuhachi. Thus, the shakuhachi of the Komoso were crafted from ‘above root’ or ‘non-root’ bamboo. Shakuhachi were also shorter around 1.08 in length or ichi-shaku-hachi-bu (32.7cm/12.8in); 22cm shorter than the later and current standard of 1.8 or ichi-shaku-hachi-sun (54.5cm/21.5in).

The shakuhachi would also see other variations and evolutions before reaching the root end form we’re familiar with today (the root end did not come into use until nearly one thousand years after the arrival of the first shakuhachi in Japan, 8th c. to late 17th c.).

Komoso to Komuso

In the latter half of the 16th century an increasing number of Samurai found themselves ronin or ‘masterless’, mostly due to increasing peace and thus less wars. As a result, many more of these ronin Samurai began joining the ranks of the shakuhachi playing Komoso. In the mid 16th century, the Komoso became associated with the legendary Chinese Chan Buddhist sage Fuke Zenji (Japanese pronunciation). It’s speculated that this association was made in order to establish a Chan to Zen lineage in order to gain legitimacy for the group.

In the legends, Fuke Zenji would ring a small handbell for the purpose of teaching or ‘showing’ the ‘Dharma’. Whomever was creating the Komuso founding myth seems to have been trying to make a connection between the bell of Fuke Zenji and the shakuhachi, in other words, the use of a ‘sound device’ for spiritual Buddhist purposes. As such, in some texts the Komoso were additionally referred to as Fuke so or ‘Fuke monks’. However, it’s unclear whether these associations with Fuke Zenji were being drawn by ‘commoners’ or the ‘nobleman’ ronin Samurai-turned-Komoso.

Eventually, the Samurai began calling themselves the Komuso 虚無僧. Over time, the ‘commoner class’ Komoso began to disappear from history as the ‘nobleman’ Samurai Komuso and the Fuke Shu sect grew. The Fuke Shu tried to make the act of playing shakuhachi for alms exclusive to the Komuso, and thus prohibited for non-Komuso ‘commoners’ to do so. Note that neither the Komoso nor the Komuso and their Fuke Shu Buddhist sect was ever officially recognized by the Japanese government or any of the established Buddhist sects.

The Komuso of the Fuke Shu would go on to establish a network of temples, most notably the temples of Myoanji in Kyoto and Ichigetsuji in Edo, aka Tokyo. At some unknown point in time, the government prohibited the Komuso from owning Katana but they could carry a Wakizashi or ‘shortsword’, though this too was also eventually banned. They also began making shakuhachi from the root end of the bamboo, most likely during the 1700’s, and they extended the standard length by roughly 22cm; from 1.08 to 1.8 shaku.

The Possible Meaning of Komuso 虚無僧 – A deeper dive

To try and at least understand what 虚無僧 Komuso means, we’ll take a fascinating and revealing look into Chinese Chan Buddhism, which becomes none other than Zen Buddhism in Japan. We’ll look at each Kanji in turn, beginning with 虚 ko. David Hinton in his book, “China Root: Taoism, Ch’an, and Original Zen”, writes, Chapter II [text in brackets mine]:

…original-nature is also known in Ch’an parlance as empty-mind (空心) [kushin in Japanese]

…空 [ku] itself also means quite simply “sky,”

…Hence, empty-mind [空心 kushin] as “sky-mind.”

…空心 [kushin] is therefore quite literally the “original-nature” of consciousness.

…sky appears again in a synonym for 空 [ku] in the Taoist/Ch’an syllabary: 虚 [the same ko in Komuso 虚無僧.]

…[Huangbo Xiyun 黄檗希運, died 850] uses both of the terms for “empty/sky” when he describes mind as, “radiant purity like the emptiness of empty sky (空虚) [Kuko].” [空虚 Kuko reversed is none other than the title of the revered Honkyoku shakuhachi piece 虚空 Koku.]

…空 [ku] is synonymous in the Ch’an literature with 無 [mu] (absence) [the same mu 無 in Komuso 虚無僧]. Indeed, there is a common variation of 空心 [kushin] (“empty-mind”): 無心 [mushin](“no/absence-mind”), where 無 [mu] replaces 空 [ku] as a virtual synonym.

David Hinton in their book, “China Root: Taoism, Ch’an, and Original Zen”, Chapter II [text in brackets mine]

Therefore, the first two Kanji for Komuso 虚無 are virtually synonymous and of primary importance in Chan Buddhism. We also seem to see this expressed in the titles of Honkyoku pieces, such as the aforementioned 虚空 Koku and the piece 虚鈴 Kyorei or, ‘Empty/sky-mind Bell’. Lastly, 僧 or So simply means monk(s).

Komuso Spirituality

Honkyoku 本曲, the most venerated pieces of shakuhachi music, were primarily composed by anonymous Komuso monks and are considered to be spiritual, often inspired by Buddhism, Shinto, and/or Shugendo. The ‘genre’ is thought to have originated from the Southern island of Kyushu, Japan.

The word Honkyoku can refer to a single piece or to the genre as a whole. The Kanji for Hon 本 can mean ‘main/original/true/real’, while Kyoku 曲 can be taken as, ‘piece/composition/music’. Distinct regional styles developed across Edo period Japan, and while many Honkyoku are thought to have been lost, the surviving pieces comprise the largest body of solo wind instrument music in the entire world.

The Tengai Basket Hat and Other Komuso Vestments

The Tengai 天蓋 or ‘heaven cover’ hat is perhaps the most iconic Komuso item next to the shakuhachi. Like the shakuhachi, it saw an evolution, from generic straw hat to the iconic ‘beehive’ like shape which fully incases the head. It’s been said that its final form was a tool to aid in the suppression of the ego, as well as a means to help people to listen to the shakuhachi, rather than being concerned with the identity or emotions of the Komuso.

It’s also been speculated that it provided a disguise and/or a way to hide exactly how the shakuhachi was being played. The Tengai hat is typically woven from either grass reed, rattan, or even bamboo. It also has a unique headband ‘suspension system’ which is secured with string which allows the hat to move with the motions of the player.

(Note that the ‘shortsword’ or Wakizashi is not included in this most likely modern diagram)

1. Tengai (天蓋) – basket hat; ten ‘sky/heaven’; gai ‘cover’
2. Kimono (紋付) – usually montsuki ‘five crest’
3. O’kuwara (大掛絡) – like Zen Rakusu except larger and worn over the shoulder
4. Obi or Kaku-obi (帯) – a stiff cotton belt
5. 2nd shakuhachi (usually fake these days)
6. Netsuke (根付) – place to store small items
7. Kyahan (脚半) – shin covers
8. Tabi (足袋) – split toe socks
9. Waraji (草鞋) – straw sandals
10. Hachimaki (鉢巻) – head band
11. Shakuhachi (尺八) – 1.8 ‘D/Db’ ichi-shaku-hachi-sun
12. Teko (手甲) – hand and forearm covers
13. Gebako (偈箱) – ‘alms box’ which could also hold the Kai in or ‘official documents’
14. Fusa (房) – tassel

Initiation of a Komuso

To become a Komuso of the Fuke Shu during the Edo period, one had to produce their papers of Samurai lineage, pay an entrance fee, and take oaths. The new Komuso would be given the San gu or ‘three tools’ and the San in or ‘three seals’. The ‘three tools’ were the shakuhachi, the Tengai, and the O’kuwara ‘shawl’ (Rakusu/kesa). The O’kuwara shawl is much like the Zen Buddhist Rakusu, however, the Komuso O’kuwara is larger and worn over the shoulder, instead of in the regular position in front of the body.

The San in were the Honsoku ‘Komuso license’ to beg, the Kai in or ‘personal identification papers’, and the Tsu in document which allowed them to cross borders. They were also given a Gebako which is a lacquered wooden alms box or cloth bag worn about the neck in which were stored the official papers. Some Komuso also received their alms in the Gebako box.

Activities of the Komuso

The chief activity of a shakuhachi playing Komuso would have been playing Honkyoku. Generally, a Komuso would beg for alms by playing a Honkyoku outside of a home, place of business, or in town. However, some Komuso were known to have practiced near extortion in order to receive alms by intimidating people, loitering, and causing ‘noise’. Additionally, some Komuso would play shakuhachi for auspicious events, such as funerals, and received alms for their services.

Perhaps most notably, Komuso could wander far and wide across Japan. For instance, it’s well known that Komuso traveled to other Fuke Shu temples where different regional Honkyoku styles had developed. In turn, this allowed for some ‘cross-pollination’ of these regional Honkyoku styles. For example, the famous Komuso Kurosawa Kinko I (1710-1771) collected various regional Honkyoku across Edo period Japan. His collection was posthumously codified into the Kinko Ryu school, which survives to the present day.

Shakuhachi as a weapon

We’ll never know to what extent or how often the shakuhachi was used as a weapon during the Edo period and earlier. However, what we should call into question are those who still perpetuate fantasies of bloodshed, especially without condemning violence, all in order to tantalize at the expense of the greater artistic and spiritual legacy of the Komuso monks and their direct descendants.

Teaching of Laypersons and the Evolution to Modern-day Instruction

The Fuke Shu attempted to keep the shakuhachi exclusive to the Komuso, however, many laypersons or ‘non-Komuso’ continued to play the shakuhachi. Over time, these ‘non-Komuso’ lay shakuhachi players became a part of Sankyoku secular ensemble music with Koto and the Shamisen. Near the end of the Edo period, the Fuke Shu actually began to allow Komuso to teach shakuhachi to laypersons for a fee. These students could also earn shakuhachi playing licenses and professional titles.

The Banning of the Komuso – The Meiji Restoration and the Dissolution of the Fuke Shu

It’s estimated by some that there were more than one hundred Komuso shakuhachi temples across Edo period Japan. However, the Meiji Restoration (1868 – 1889) abolished Buddhism which resulted in the closing, converting, or more often, the destruction of the Komuso temples. In fact, the new Meiji government soon decided to ban shakuhachi playing altogether, however, the Kinko Ryu Grandmasters Araki Kodo II (Chikuo I) and Yoshida Ittcho successfully petitioned the new government to allow secular shakuhachi music to continue.

Despite these challenges, the traditions of the Komuso persist into the modern era, though the Fuke Shu was never officially restored. Today, there are those who carry on the practices of the Komuso, primarily via the preservation of the Honkyoku. In conclusion, the history of the Komuso is a testament to the enduring power of spiritual and artistic practices in the face of adversity. Despite persecution and many other hardships, the Komuso remained committed to their shakuhachi practice, inspiring generations of players.