Why this blog?

My name is Hélène Seiyu 聖 優 Codjo and I am a shakuhachi performer and teacher (Shihan) of the Hijiri-Kai school, founded by Fukuda Teruhisa. In December 2016, I started the adventure of writing this blog about my shakuhachi journey. Although I am not a native speaker, I choose to write in English, as an international language of communication.

The shakuhachi changed my life. My personal journey with this magical instrument started somewhere in 1994-1995 with listening to a CD (by Yamaguchi Goro). At that time, I was a classical flutist and I didn’t think that, one day, I would become myself a shakuhachi master. Neither I could imagine I would give up my silver flute and stop playing classical music. I didn’t think that borrowing this CD would be the first step of a big revolution in my life.

Starting as a beginner in 2002 and becoming a shakuhachi master in 2013, I am still practicing to improve myself. Throughout my journey I have been collecting information, thoughts, quotes, exercises, tips, etc., that I am willing to share in this blog.

I hope that you will enjoy reading the posts, listening to the Hijiri School musical repertoire and discover my own compositions.

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You can support my work with a small donation. I am a full-time shakuhachi artist and I put a lot of time and efforts in the writing of posts and pages, in the recording and uploading of the music. So any little help is welcome.
You can choose the amount of your donation.
It will enable me to record and post more. THANK YOU!

For a one time donation, please click here.

Become part of my Virtual Shakuhachi Dojo

To practice with me at your own rhythm, create, listen, meditate… visit my Virtual Shakuhachi Dojo on Patreon and join my exclusive community of Patrons. You will get access to exclusive content and be part of a unique community.

Weekly Online Meditations

Since May 2020 I have been leading an Online Meditation Group. If you are a shakuhachi player and want to join us, read this post here. Welcome!

This blog is…

A place to discover the Japanese bamboo flute shakuhachi and our school “Hijiri-ryu“. Either you are new to this flute, willing to watch, listen, practice, take lessons, I am happy to help you in one way or another.

This blog is not…

A scientific source of information about the instrument, the history, the different schools. There are plenty of websites and resources to be found on the Internet. I will be posting links to those I know, so that you can find more detailed background information.

Thank you…

I would like to thank my teachers Daniel Seisoku Lifermann and Fukuda Teruhisa for their help, trust, talent and support in this adventure.