First Published in 1994. In their quest for new sound materials, avant-garde musicians often produce sounds which accidentally bear a strong resemblance to traditional instruments. While conventional Western instruments have taken on a functional role, instruments such as the shakuhachi are still closely associated with their cultural, religious, and historical roots. The colorful and unique shakuhachi has become the most widely known and used Japanese instrument. This collection provides a comprehensive historical overview of the shakuhachi, its technical aspects and its relationship to the flute.