Mystery of the Komuso (ft. Tairyu Shakuhachi and Hon-on Shakuhachi)

The Komuso are mysterious figures of old Japan. In this video, with the help of Shawn from Renzoh Flutes and Nick from Hon-on Shakuhachi, we will seek to discover the truth behind this fascinating figures and the music they played!
Learn Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi Today! www.shawnheadmusic.com/store/...
Get yourself a flute! www.shawnheadmusic.com/store/...
Check out Renzoh Flutes and Hon-on Shakuhachi's KZbin Channels!
‪@TairyuShakuhachi‬
‪@hon-onold-styleshakuhachic8017‬
Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
Komuso Appearance 2:38
The Shakuhachi 4:03
The Tengai 5:59
Honkyoku 10:07
Komuso in the Edo Period 12:43
Final Thoughts on the Komuso 23:47
How You Can Learn to Play Shakuhachi Today! 30:10
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Sources Used:
"Japanese Music and Musical Instruments" by William P. Malm
"The Crazy Cloud Anthology" by Ikkyu Sojun
"Shakuhachi, Zen, The Fukeshu and Komuso" by James Sanford
"Hitori mondo" by Hisamatsu Fūyō
"Bakufu Memorandum of December 18th, 1678 (Komusō-ha Oboe)" translation by Torsten Olafsson
"Kaido Honsoku" translated by Torsten Olafsson
"Yearning for the Bell: a study of transmission in the shakuhachi honkyoku tradition" by Riley Lee
KomusØ and “Shakuhachi-Zen” DEEG
"Zen and Shakuhachi" by Yoshida Mitsukuni
Makihara Ichiro, komusou-ichiro.com/
"Kyotaku Denki" translated by Gen’ichi Tsuge
Rinzai Roku (Rinzai Recordings)
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Music all preformed by Renzoh Flutes:
"Kyorei"
"Ryobo 霊慕 Dokyoku"
"霊慕 (越後) Echigo Reibo"
Artwork and Images:
Classical art and vintage photos, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Other modern artist renditions and photos, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
Support the channel on Patreon! www.patreon.com/theshogunatey...
#Samurai #History #Japan

[@darkmattergamesofficial]

These guys make an appearance in old samurai shows sometimes, and when they do you know they mean business lol

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

There is one jidaigeki where over 100 of them show up, its called komuso family tree.

[@alexgamboa4131]

And in samurai warriors 2

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

It’s actually in the opening of this video ;-)

[@skys6655]

Or in anime when someone finna get assassinated 😂

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@skys6655 facts

[@Calypso694]

I always thought they were fictional but knowing they were real is wild. Easily the most iconic imagery from samurai and ninja films

[@crazyquilt]

What a remarkable video. I first became obsessed with shakuhachi in the '80s, and eventually learned to play a little, starting around 2002. I studied formally for about a year, and still bring it out for Honshirabe or Moonlight Over the Haunted Castle every so often because it's just a wonderful sound and playing experience. Because of the open embouchure, your body is very much a part of the instrument -- it's not just something you play; it's sculpting breath. There's clearly been a lot of scholarship since last I fell down the bamboo rabbit hole, and it was great to hear a lot of myths busted and idols toppled. Watanabe would laugh and offer you some tea.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thanks for watching! I hope you step back into the bamboo ring and play some more!

[@rachelgohlman3582]

The flute really does act like an extension of the soul.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@rachelgohlman3582 agreed. The ruach “spirit” is breath/wind

[@inregionecaecorum]

Not an easy instrument by any means, all traditions had their point of invention, and even if the idea of meditation by flute only dates from the 1970s it does not make it any less valid than meditation by any other kind of meditation

[@Scodiddly]

I also studied the Shakuhachi for 2-3 years. It’s a very simple and expressive instrument, which of course means it’s very difficult to play. I’m a pretty good musician, but I still can’t play it very well. Time well spent, though.

[@bushy9780]

I love these historical culture videos.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Me too, it was awesome to be apart of it.

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

Every time I see someone wearing a tengai (rattan basket hat), I'm reminded of the Dutch spies from Samurai Champloo and the various basket-wearing assassins of the Lone Wolf and Club series. Those hats always put me on edge, since it seems like they're more often than not a disguise lol.

[@saymyname2417]

On the topics of Japanese head gear (and foot wear) alone you could make a whole video. I absolutely LOVE the roningasa. These wandering monks with their basket hats are truly mysterious, eerie and fascinating.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

indeed!

[@saymyname2417]

​@@TairyuShakuhachi- They ARE 😊!

[@loxodoncyclotis1823]

Weirdly enough, the first time I ever heard of the Komuso was in a sci-fi novel set in the distant future - 'Revelation Space' by Alastair Reynolds. There was a character that dressed like the Komuso, complete with the basket hat and shakuhachi flute (which he sometimes hit people on the head with)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Whoa, can you send me a link to that?

[@kensprague9802]

Ah...Triumvir Sajaki-san

[@matthewbittenbender9191]

@@TairyuShakuhachi en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelation_Space

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@matthewbittenbender9191 thank you

[@rhysnichols8608]

Hey Shogunate, I would really love for you to make a video showing how a samurai army fought, the formations, drills and tactics etc. Like a birds eye view of where the gunners were placed, where the pikes and spearman were located and how the doctrine of battle roughly went. Basically a crash course on how samurai armies formed up and fought, if you please, cheers

[@breathingnecklace]

Thank you for creating this historical representation of the monks. We'd love to share it on our channel as a way to educate our customers. Our mission is to further the lifestyle of the ancient monks to influence modern hustle culture. Our breathing tool is designed to help people develop that lifestyle.

[@matthewbittenbender9191]

Blue Eyed Samurai brought me here. Was intrigued by the scenes with the Komusos as I've seen them in other Edo period portrayals, but didn't know anything on them or how culturally distinct or significant they were.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

blue eye samura, for the win.

[@Red_Snapper]

Komuso: "The Universe began with a certain sound, a vibration. Like that of music" Spectator: "Can you play this music for us?" Komuso: "Well ofc that is why we are here" Komuso - Cracks the spectator skull with his hard bamboo flute and says: "This is the sound of your reincarnation your new birth in a new universe"

[@robertderijcke4834]

A big "Thank you!" to Nick & Shawn for their positive involvement in the shakuhachi world! Please continue your beautiful work...

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Appreciate you!

[@madLphnt]

Cosplay Criminals is a decent bandname

[@bkyguy]

You have the best youtube channel on japanese history. Would you consider doing a video on the yearly NHK's Taiga Drama Samurai series and provide information on what is involved in the production and behind the scenes on what it takes to produce these yearly series, including casting and costs involved.

[@TheShogunate]

Thank you!! And yeah I'd love to start covering Taiga Drama more!

[@Dahaka-rd6tw]

@@TheShogunate When talking about horse of historical figures, most famous is Bucephalus of Alexander the Great. Well, can you do Matsukaze of samurai Maeda Keiji?

[@olwellflutes]

Thanks for making this video, really hard to find out any of this detail without a real deep dive into printed sources!

[@The_NordKnight]

Hell yeah! I don't know why but I have this last month or so been extremely captivated by the Komuso and then this video drops! Awesome!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@noiseworks]

A staff for support, a sword for protection, and a bamboo flute for the music that feeds the soul-these can be seen as symbols for the essentials in the journey of life, especially in the context of samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism. with means for defense, support, and the joy of art, one is well-equipped to navigate life’s complexities. “Samsara” (輪廻, rinne) in Japanese, captures the essence of that cycle.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thanks for having us! It was awesome getting to make this video with you.

[@DionysianLovecraftian]

I always found these guys interesting.

[@sevenproxies4255]

I remember seeing these hats being worn by some of the enemies in Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven. Always found them intriguing.

[@hayasakaai-ly2hy]

In Samurai Warriors games, there's one troop unit that looks exactly like this, and also has a flute...

[@justanotherviewer1282]

I find them very annoying to fight in tenchu, also amazed by the design especially the one fights with bare hand with some cool martial arts moves

[@inregionecaecorum]

Oh dear, I had that LP "A bell ringing in an empty sky" and now you have burst my bubble. I shall have to exchange my shakuhachi for a saxophone now.

[@Necrosmos]

I love that Shogunate always is enthusiastically whispering

[@Koyumasa_Art]

I like the Komuso, it gives me a mysterious and peaceful from things I get too much of a headache 🥺 🎉✨

[@Minihopa]

Such a wonderful video! Beautiful music, art and exceptional historical storytelling! Thank you 🙏

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thank you! It was an honor to make a video with the Shogunate. A long time in the making actually.

[@rachelgohlman3582]

Ive had a respiratory infection for two weeks. I miss playing my shakuhachi so bad.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I just got a summer cold as well! I hope I get better quickly

[@AlxnderNZ]

Get a box of those slurpy sachets of nanosphere Vitamin D and C and some Zinc x

[@hanchiman]

These "Monks" has been a stable stock characters in Historical drama. Often being Ninjas or something. Nice to see Shogunate now move to "Civilians" of old Japan. Would be nice to when Shogunate talk about "Street Entertainers" which supposed to be lowest rung ladder in society. Edit: Forgot to mention. Will Shogunate ever do a video about the "Burakimi"? The untouchable caste of Japan where they discriminated until 1960 as they were doing "unclean" works like butcher, tannery, executioner (none Seppuku way, more like normal criminals executioner)

[@bushy9780]

Would youtubers be considered street entertainers?

[@hanchiman]

@@bushy9780 well....

[@wadepsilon01]

''Buraku-min" is a name that appeared after the Edo period. ''Buraku" means "village" "min" means "resident. Originally called ''Eta'' or ''Etta'' (which means ''Much dirt.'') and ''Hinin'' (not a person). I won't explain much because it is out of the subject of the video. The work "Kamui-den" created by a cartoonist named Sanpei Shirato is based on these people.

[@hanchiman]

@@wadepsilon01 there was a manga from late 1960 or 1970 about a wannabe samurai who tried to hide his Burakumin background. It was one of the early manga that mentioned about these people I think

[@hanchiman]

@@wadepsilon01 found the manga. It name was Bloody Stump Samurai. Art style looks like Lone Wolf and Cub. An art style that was normal in 1970 in adult oriented manga.

[@ontoverse]

As a kid in the early 90s, I dreamed of travelling through Japan as a Komuso. It was my dream to play the piece Akita Sugagaki during Autumn by Lake Shinji, which is a nerdy historical reference I can't quite figure out myself all these years later. When I got a bit older I realized how absurd that was, but man, old japan sure captured my imagination back in middle school.

[@crestonediamond]

Thank you for providing this, a subject that I've always been curious about🌻

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You are most very welcome!

[@cookdislander4372]

This is me in Ghost of Tsushima playing the flute wearing kensei armor and tengai before killing strawhats and mongols lol

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Epic

[@user-tn3pn1yk6i]

good luck with students. Great thanks you for the video!

[@jimross7648]

Thank you for an episode that I found to be most informative. Of course I knew about flute playing and music as a part of Japanese culture, but I don't recall knowing or seeing basket wearing musicians represented in what I thought I knew about historical Japan. Which is another way of saying I knew nothing of this topic. All the information presented was new and revelatory to me. The presentation was clear, revelatory, and linear. So it was easy to follow, even though the material presented was both contradictory and convoluted. There is no doubt this was intentionally difficult to follow, and thereby making it difficult to determine facts from historical fiction. So as I always do, I learned something new from this episode.

[@TheShogunate]

Thank you!!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Many times these guys are brushed over quickly because there is so much but so little information on them. Kind of a fun paradox. I thought I had known about them 8 years ago but after doing a lot of research from the scholars my view has changed a lot. Thanks for watching and supporting the Shogunate.

[@traviswadezinn]

Excellent - I'd be interested to read over the material on Hidden Christian connection

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Sent you a message on FB

[@MichaelWalker-de8nf]

These guys are often on Lone Wolf and Cub and Zatoichi. Awesomeness 👺

[@dennisthurman2070]

Love these videos

[@-RONNIE]

Thank you so much for the video

[@dogsterooni]

this was amazing excellent

[@ralle9879]

It is a very nice hat/headwear. Which reminds me of how good your videos are!

[@warrennass24]

Hi Shogunate, thanks for a very interesting and deep dive into this topic. I do remember seeing these figures portrayed in lone wolf and cub. But I have a better understanding of this.

[@melissamoonchild9216]

what a wonderful video

[@GIBunz]

I always thought they were traveling samurai, didn't know about the monk/taoist aspect

[@wadejameskennedy4495]

Thank you.

[@FullCavGuy]

Very Interesting

[@Powerhouse1]

I must admit, those guys in Way of the Samurai 3 did scare the hell out of me lol.

[@agoogolofgeese]

lol “let’s go back to the beginning… the beginning of the universe” that was unexpected 😂

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

;-) That was one of my favorite parts

[@zeroequalsthree8649]

Myoanji is about 2.5km directly up the street north from my workplace. Before covid became a thing I was running a lot during my free time and I was always going through the grounds of Tofukuji, which Ryoanji is a sorta sub-temple of. I was curious about the place just because of the name "Temple of Lightness and Darkness," and went into the grounds a few times but there was never anyone around. Coulda been that the people there saw the weirdo running sweaty foreigner walking in and ducked under the window and pretended nobody was home... In any case, interesting video.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Well now you know the history!

[@Adi.12893]

I really like your japnese history videos

[@kingfish4575]

Always wondered about this. I want to learn to play a Shakuhachi. I miss the way of the samurai series.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You can learn the shakuhachi over at my channel. Plently of free videos. :-)

[@lucasrinaldi9909]

Shogunate, first I'd like to congratulate you on the amazing work you've been doing on the channel, certainly the best out there on these topics. That being said, do you have any thoughts on Oleg Benesch's book, "Inventing The Way of Samurai"? It seems to me more a product of the current trend of "everything is a myth".

[@liamredmill9134]

Fascinating history tradition

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Indeed!

[@InVinoVeratas]

Reminds me of God Hand in Samurai Champloo.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

wow I just remember made that connection reading your comment

[@InVinoVeratas]

@@TairyuShakuhachi yeah, this actually provides a lot of context as to why he was dressed that way, and why he was able to get away with using it as a disguise. Because he was a government sponsored killer/samurai.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@InVinoVeratas good point

[@TraitofSiNN727]

thank you so much for this video cause it kind of made me wonder who were those that wore Roningasa and times a Tengai in a old 1970s Samurai show I watch called "Mute Samurai."

[@eldraque4556]

fascinating

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@iahelcathartesaura3887]

Is this Riley Lee himself reading from his own dissertation? Or something? Wow? Wonderful, thorough work! Subscribed!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

No, we just quoted him.

[@Kurt20051YT]

Interesting, I haven't heard much about the komuso before and I wondered why people were wearing baskets on their heads lol Also since you're now in the edo period, will you be reviewing the last samurai even though it's not that historically accurate?

[@valeerie6423]

I first saw a komuso portrayed in a Legion episode (Marvel), well at least i think the Komuso was what they referenced. Very intriguing characters

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Oh nice connection!

[@remc0s]

So this is what Red Hood's "helmet" in Batman: Ninja is based on? I was like: "Why is Jason wearing a basket over his head?" 😆 It all makes sense now.

[@sslaytor]

Very informative! However, in your section setting out the sybolism of twelves you cite the 12 hours of the clock. My understanding is that traditional Japanese time was divided into 10 hours (10 in the day, 10 in the night) not 12. The 12 hour European time wasn't introduced until the Meiji restoration.

[@SHUT-UP_MEG]

They all carried that flute because thats how they spoke to eachother To you, its flute music But they were talking to eachother about you

[@edenn012]

They tough asf in Tenchu!

[@wagessin3596]

They were the first “Let me solo her” real life players 🤔😬

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

facts

[@josh656]

"Dude you've got a basket on your head" - You're crazy man...

[@aruthorcarly]

Todd howard: 16x times detail!

[@Box-Chan]

Remember seeing these guys in Shinobi 3 level 1, ever since I’ve been intrigued

[@christadauria4362]

The origin of Komouse in ancient Japan started with Zen Buddhist tradition. Back to what year? I am curious about the history of Komouse used by the Zen Buddhist monks wandering around here in ancient Japan in pre-modern times.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

It didn't start with Zen and they weren't monks either.

[@solescribano5502]

I am curious about the idiom mentioned ay 9:40. Could you please point me in the direction of more info. What is the actual spelling or source so I can look more into it? Thank you! Great Video!

[@Hispandinavian]

They remind me of the Lone Wolf and Cub movie series.

[@markusforsberg6741]

When will the next episode about Tokugawa Iemitsu be relesed.:)?

[@maxaudibert5793]

Great documentary. I tried to find this publication you referred "Zen and Shakuhachi" by Yoshida Mitsukuni, without success. Where can i find it? ( if it does not exist in English, Japanese language is OK)

[@tanggololongproductions]

I am learning a lot about the histroy of Feudal Japan. But, how about the chefs and the cuisine. What do the Samurais, feudal lords, regular foot soldiers ate in those times? What are the common viands, side dishes and chefs ritual in those medieval japanese times? 😊 I am a iron chef (Japanese) fan and there's an episode there that a Ota faction doing a chef ritual of cutting to a sea breeme., or it is just pointless? Thanks. 🙏

[@guyunknown6224]

I went out of my way to kill one of the ronin in way of the samurai 3 just for that hat 😂😂 but then I realized they’re a nice way to farm cool weapons and completely forgot about it 😂😂

[@user-el2bn8jf5n]

All our talents increase in the using, and the every faculty, both good and bad, strengthen by exercise.

[@edward2175]

Fascinating story of this mysterious sect, loved the imagery which I hadn.t seen before. Thanks for the info.

[@Captofthisship]

Ever thought about covering the game " Okami" from Ps2? The spirit dog Okami was given power from Amaterasu. If you never checked that one out, Id recommend the hell out of that one, probably not much a video there but figured I would drop a name at least.

[@Ludifant]

The whole knowing/not knowing is very zen :) Luckily, we live in a post-truth society and the wisdom of insecurity about "facts" is spreading as official organisations participate more and more in creating fog. "The five tones make a man deaf...", but if this man has a wife who talks too much, this may be a blessing. Next to the blue and the red pill, we always forget the green pill, which goes in your ears.

[@fajarkurniawan9434]

7:55 "This is The Way"

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

In an act of cultural toughness Samurai will grow a top knot so their foes can carry their decapitated head to their rival lord. They will write sad poetry about this. A Komuso will see this and say "How inconsiderate, the Samurai should of brought a wicker basket for his friends heads as well!" They will begin jamming on their flute about this.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

What crazy is, I can totally imagine a comment like this being legit in Edo period. There were some really funny writers back then.

[@daniloalves1139]

early buckethead fans

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

buckethead's idol.

[@spazmodicusrex6629]

Then, one day in the far future, the last Komuso was born. He picked up an electric guitar and shredded with great proficiency, producing an incredible amount of albums - all the while working from time-to-time with some of the most famous rock and roll bands in the world. :)

[@meshuggahshirt]

The last komuso, walking around with a Mesa/Boogie stack on his shoulders and a really long extension cord plugging into the wall

[@maxmccullough8548]

Buckethead!

[@zalop.]

Dam 3 days late😕

[@TONEDEAFSOUND]

afro samurai was rocking one of these

[@edo_moya]

‘Let’s go way back, back to the beginning… the beginning of the universe’ oh… ohhh ok fine hahaha

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

just take a second or two

[@ARKHAMASYLUM-qc7bw]

So the basket naked Jin skin from Ghost of Tsushima has a backstory what the bloody hell

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

#plot twist

[@jourdainhiini6548]

I'm making my 7th shakuhachi

[@LuffyBlack]

There was a knight of Ren from Star Wars that wore one of these, I think. I remember the Way of the Samurai boss, I had the misfortune of running into him

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

oof

[@sexmusichandle]

I need a tengai too

[@stillscion-bf7tg]

❤ The reasons they cover there Heads with Bamboo made Basket is there Spies, Traitor's, or next challeger. They come and distracted any samurai fights by being going there and play distracted music as Next secret Challenger to samurai fight

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@coolcobrax]

Crazy just watched blue eyed samurai and saw them and was like hmm what heck

[@colterknebel]

What movie was the black and white footage from the intro from?

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Komuso Family Tree

[@aanchaallllllll]

0:16: 🎶 The komoso were mysterious flute-playing monks who existed during the Edo period in Japan. 5:15: 🎶 The KOMO Soul, masterless Samurai, may have played the shakuhachi flute for various purposes in Edo period Japan. 9:30: 🎶 The komuso played the shakuhachi for enlightenment and alms, with their true voice being heard through the instrument. 14:12: 🎶 Zen Buddhist monks and Samurai in ancient Japan were influenced by Chinese philosophy and music theory, with many pieces composed by monks or Samurai. 19:25: 🎶 The komuso were difficult to research due to the lack of primary sources, but they used flutes as a religious tool and may have had philosophical inclinations. 23:42: 🎶 The history of the connection between Zen and shakuhachi is disputed, and the concept of suizen blowing meditation is a modern invention. 28:24: 🎶 Shakuhachi music, originally practiced by wandering monks and masterless samurais, is seen as a form of prayer or meditation and provides a much-needed blessing in today's anxiety-ridden modern world. Recap by Tammy AI

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Thank you!

[@alwayshere6956]

I cant trust AI at all

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

oh boy....@@alwayshere6956

[@noiseworks]

OG rebel alliance!

[@madmalkavian3857]

Any time i see these guys in a japanese themed game I'm just on gaurd just because there's a 75% they'll attack me when my back is turned.

[@TheScratcherStudios]

What was their answer to "where are you going?"? Can't find anything similar to isshofuji.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

You can find more about that in Riley Lee’s thesis and James Sanford’s book. Both listed in the description. If you need the characters or more information after that, please let me know.

[@not_decaf]

The grass

[@W4iteFlame]

Hm...interesting. I may take few concepts from it...

[@TheLobstersoup]

All I can think about now is Lonewolf and Cub...and split bamboo helmets.

[@MrHathaway1337]

This needs a Skyrim mod.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

yes

[@livannal.t.9068]

i guess im the only one who draw reference to this hat to an episode in Samurai Champloo. i see people saying "blue eyed samurai" which i have never seen.

[@jamespatrick6652]

Lone Wolf and Cub

[@trashboity8773]

Also in sekiro game and yes is mysterious girl mission still unsolved

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Where in Sekiro did you find them?

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

Those Tengai baskets aren't cheap: the ones I've seen for sale from Japan cost $399 USD. I'm still gonna buy one of course lol.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Its a must have. I have a few myself.

[@BuriedFlame]

Years later, we get LetMeSoloHer.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

🎉