Shakuhachi by the book



Rick Riekert
Member
Shakuhachi by the book
It’s not every day that the shakuhachi is subject matter for contemporary American fiction. There is, however, a recent novel in which a shakuhachi not only plays a pivotal part but also gives the work its title.

Shakuhachi, by Debra Carlson, is a novel of historical fiction set in Japan in 1945 and 1974. The novel explores how the lives of three people—a boy, his mother, and a village elder—weave together across time and distance. After eight-year-old Kenji is orphaned in the 1945 firebombing raids over Tokyo, he finds healing and wisdom from a rural village shaman. Thirty years later, living in Tokyo and unable to connect emotionally to anyone, he discovers that his mother had survived the war. Joined by a Japanese-American woman, Kenji reluctantly embarks on a journey of discovery, uncovering the carefully concealed truths of his family during post-war Japan. The shaman, inspired by a dream, crafts a shakuhachi for Kenji at his time of crisis—an instrument that will ultimately lead him back to his past and reveal his future. Flowing seamlessly over 30 years, Shakuhachi tells a story of forgiveness and love that transcends time and tragedy.

Debra Carlson lived in Japan for ten years. She earned a master's degree in international relations from the International University of Japan with a special focus on Japanese women's issues. Shakuhachi is her first novel.

Debra recently attended the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association conference to find an agent to represent the novel and get it published. I’ve assured her that once published it’s bound (no pun intended) to be warmly welcomed by shakuhachi addicts everywhere. Stay tuned.
Mastery does not lay in the mastery of technique, but in penetrating the heart of the music. However, he who has not mastered the technique will not penetrate the heart of the music.
~ Hisamatsu Fûyô
Kiku Day
Moderator
cool! let us know she it gets published. fingers crossed!
sorry only lower case... my left hand is pretending to be a wing of a hen, calming a 3-day old chicken.
Brian Tairaku Ritchie
Moderator
I wonder if she has had any shakuchachi experts read it to make sure she gets the details correct.
Jam
Member
I was given a book a while ago by a friend I'd been teaching some Japanese to. I'm reluctant to name it, as the book is pretty poor, it's a kids book which is essentially the William Adams story but with a western kid who becomes a samurai. Anyway in the glossary it mentions shakuhachi and hifumi hachigaeshi. I'll have to trawl through it to find out how it's described, though I'm not holding my breath for accuracy!
Rick Riekert
Member
"Brian Tairaku Ritchie""Brian Tairaku Ritchie"
I wonder if she has had any shakuchachi experts read it to make sure she gets the details correct.


Not sure, but deciding whether it should be jiari/jinuri, jimori, or jinashi may well have caused some sleepless nights.
Mastery does not lay in the mastery of technique, but in penetrating the heart of the music. However, he who has not mastered the technique will not penetrate the heart of the music.
~ Hisamatsu Fûyô
Shakhi
Member
"Rick Riekert""Rick Riekert"
... jiari/jinuri, jimori, or jinashi...


Sorry for the newbie question... what is the difference? Is there somewhere on this forum that explains? Thanks.
Brian Tairaku Ritchie
Moderator
Google is an amazing thang. I typed in "What's the difference between jiari and jinashi" and viola!

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Types-of-shakuhachi-jiari-vs-jinashi-vs-hocchiku/10…

Then if you want to get a headache look at www.shakuhachiforum.com and search jinashi and see what comes up.
Rick Riekert
Member
I’d like to update everyone about the book. Just as Orwell’s novel was rejected by publishers for the reason that “animal stories can’t sell”, so Debra Carlson’s novel Shakuhachi” has been, if not despised, rejected on the grounds that, though the writing is lovely it’s “not commercially viable”. Debbie believes in the value of her work and will continue her search for a publisher. If after one more year she is unable to secure one she may decide to self-publish.
Mastery does not lay in the mastery of technique, but in penetrating the heart of the music. However, he who has not mastered the technique will not penetrate the heart of the music.
~ Hisamatsu Fûyô
Tenderfoot
Member
Re: Shakuhachi by the book
"Rick Riekert""Rick Riekert"

Debra recently attended the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association conference to find an agent to represent the novel and get it published. I’ve assured her that once published it’s bound (no pun intended) to be warmly welcomed by shakuhachi addicts everywhere. Stay tuned.


As a new comer I am excited about this,
My imagination is running riot already with scenes from the film version...... Shocked

If only the publishers would be a little braver this community could maybe reach out and inspire more readers that would have their minds opened.
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