After many years of teaching and researching the structure of the shakuhachi, Masayuki Koga has put together an exceptionally fine playing guide for the instrument. Divided into three parts, this volume covers fundamental and advanced techniques in shakuhachi playing. It also includes an extensive history of the flute as well as technical information on the evolution of the shakuhachi and its music. Of special interest is an appendix dealing with the structure of sound as it relates to the shakuhachi and its original scale. A compact disk which accompany this edition feature Koga playing 32 folk songs and children's pieces as well as the classical composition Sanya Oiwake.

156 pages. PG-3

Masayuki Koga is a teacher, composer and virtuoso performer of traditional and contemporary shakuhachi music. He received a shihan (master's credential) from the Tozan Ryu in 1964 after studying many years with Master Kazan Sakai. A former member of the Nihon Ongaku Shudan (Ensemble Nipponia), Koga has recorded several albums of contemporary and classical shakuhachi music. He is founder of the Japanese Music Institute in San Francisco.