The Bell Shakuhachi: Our Odyssey & What’s Next

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[Update August 5th: I’ve finally finished all of my planning for the new Bell Shakuhachi. Interestingly, we have our first apartment viewing tomorrow! We qualified for some government aid recently. This boon allows us to apply for apartments with enough space for me to have a dedicated workshop within. We shall see…]

The Bell Shakuhachi: A Winding Path to Reinvention

It’s been a while, and I know you’re wondering what’s been happening. This update is a quick recap of my odyssey, focusing on the Bell Shakuhachi moving forward. The short version: Bells are coming soon, sooner, even.

A Revealing Recap

In 2022, I made the tough call to end production of my beloved Bell Shakuhachi — the world’s first replicas of Jinashi and Jimori natural bamboo bore flutes. But the crafting in my mind never stopped. Propelled by nearly two decades of blood, sweat, and tears dedicated to the Bells, I spent the last three years in deep contemplation and innovation, not just for the instruments but also for my role as a shakuhachi teacher.

This intense period unfolded amidst significant life events. In 2021, I herniated a disc in my back which left me nearly incapacitated for weeks on end, then often in some pain no matter what, and with random reinjuries in which everything would start all over again. Even then, I strapped on a back-brace to continue working on the Bells, lifting heavy molds and casting materials.

Then came the unexpected family events. My partner’s mother decided to move back to Spain, and we joined her, helping prepare her house for sale before our mutual move. Soon after, we faced the sudden passing of my partner’s grandfather in Spain, followed by the heartbreaking news in Spring 2023 that my own mother had suddenly passed away.

Two years have gone by, much of it forcibly removed from my craft due to these moves (my equipment, bamboo, everything has been in storage in Spain since late Summer 2023). After a year in Spain, where my partner couldn’t find work, we’ve now settled in France.

Roots and Renewal

Through all of this, beyond constantly refining ideas for the Bells, I’ve been searching for a workshop. My unique needs for crafting the Bells led to rejections from collective spaces, making it impossible to find a suitable location. Then, sitting in our tiny 17m² apartment, I had a realization: this very space could be my workshop, if we moved out, of course. It’s an expensive solution for me, but with no other viable options emerging, I must make it work.

Today, after I finish writing this, I’ll be back to my daily search for a new apartment to live in. On a brighter note, my partner has found her dream job here and my health has also seen significant improvements. I believe my back has healed; I’ve been pain-free for months, maybe a year now. I’ve been able to heal myself through a combination of good information, careful exercise, and diet — just like with the debilitating RSI I had in my forearms over a decade ago,

A Final Form Emerges

As for my Bells, after countless hours of refinement and discarding less viable or unsavory paths… I’ve now arrived at what I consider the final form for Bell Shakuhachi. All in theory of course, in my mind and on paper. We’ll just have to wait and see… and hear! (Sign up to the newsletter)

Get ready, J

P.S. I’ve been spending time meditating in Churches, Cathedrals, and other historic places of Christian worship, such as the Couvent des Jacobins in my photo below (it houses the remains of Thomas Aquinas). I’ve enjoyed many “aha” moments in these spaces, and I’ve also heard some amazing organ concerts and witnessed rituals with chanting.

My last conversation with my mother, when I told her I was moving to Europe, ended with her saying, “Promise me you won’t get married in a Catholic Church.” She, a devout Jehovah’s Witness, and I, the child who chose “Pagan” paths (Buddhism, shakuhachi, meditation, and so on). But marriage in a Catholic Church? a step too far. I had to smile. These minds of ours.

My mother’s finally rests.

Couvent des Jacobins, Toulouse, France, 2025 (photo mine): houses the remains of Thomas Aquinas

Comments

20 responses to “The Bell Shakuhachi: Our Odyssey & What’s Next”

  1. Robert Johnson Avatar
    Robert Johnson

    Wow, that is quite an adventure you’ve been on! I’m sorry for the loss of your mother, and your partner’s grandfather. Glad to see that you are healing and ready to jump back in to crafting Bell’s again. I still treasure mine! Good luck on your continued Shakuhachi Journey Josen! 🙏

  2. Joseph Statuto Avatar
    Joseph Statuto

    Thanks for sharing your experiences/blog. I’m a fan of everything shakuhachi. Looking forward to hearing more about your quest.

  3. Brian Avatar

    Life is a journey filled with unanticipated joy and sorrow. Sorry to hear that your past few years have been rough ones! At the end of this journey hopefully we can all look back and say, over all, it was a rewarding one. Looking forward to reading about your next adventure. Thanks for sharing.

  4. Saunders Ellen Avatar

    I am so glad to hear from you again. I look forward to hearing the new Bells. It sounds as if you have had a very arduous voyage of recent. I hope your path is a bit more gentle for now. I have been studding with James Tong for the past almost 3 years and each session is a new challenge. Some days I feel completely defeated but I persist.

    1. Josen Avatar

      Your words perfectly apply to my last 2~3 years “Some days I feel completely defeated but I persist.” Sorry for the long silences and thank you for following me and for persisting with shakuhachi too. Tell James I said hi and I can’t wait to have the new Bells for you all, 🙏

  5. Rainer (Aravinda) Avatar
    Rainer (Aravinda)

    So great that you are back. I started two months ago with shakuhachi and your videos are such a good support.
    I wish you all the best and hope to meet you some day.

    1. Josen Avatar

      Thanks Rainer! I hope so as well. Do you go to the festivals and things? I haven’t been but hopefully soon! I decided to keep teaching live lessons on Sunday, 10am onward, Central European time. If you’re ever interested, 🙏

  6. Dirk Avatar

    Sorry to hear about your losses. My condolences.

    Glad to hear that you root and renew yourself.
    Especially glad that the world will be able to enjoy again your craftmanship with the new Bell!

    Looking forward to further news from you

    1. Josen Avatar

      Hi Dirk, and thank you! I can’t wait to get the Bells out to you. I truly appreciate you sticking with me here over these years of forced inactivity, in terms of physically being able to make flutes at least! 😉 J 🙏

  7. Samuel. Avatar
    Samuel.

    First of all, I’m sorry to hear about your losses and the difficult times you’ve been through. I hope everything gets better. A hug. Secondly, do you have release dates for the Sakuhachi Bell? I’m very interested in getting one. I look forward to your reply. Best regards

    1. Josen Avatar

      Hi Samuel, Thank you for taking the time to write to me. Things are getting better and better. I’m looking forward to putting my hands to bamboo again soon. I imagine the new Bell Shakuhachi will be available this year. It mostly hinges on me being able to set my workshop up and get back to it. With the nearly 3 years of planning mentioned above, and all the experience from 2007 to now, I believe it will not take me long at all once I’m able to set up and get bamboo dust on me again. I greatly appreciate your support, interest in them, and waiting for one. I hope life is kind on your end too, J 🙏

  8. Paul Avatar

    Dear Josen, my heart goes out to you for the difficult and painful times you have experienced recently. I will send you “metta” and strength in my nightly Zazen practice and I hope that your back has indeed healed. The news about the Bell is exciting- I still play mine every day!
    I will continue to wait patiently for the hope of one day getting to play that 2.7 Murei that we discussed-some moons ago now! Deepest respect to you..

    1. Josen Avatar

      Hi Paul, It’s good to hear from you and thank you so much! I’m happy to say that I will be bringing back the murei, now just called pole shakuhachi. They’re first on my list actually. I’m humbled and touched by your patience in waiting for yours and by your including me in your Zazen sessions. I will return the kindness, J 🙏

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