Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Encyclopedia
Christopher Yohmei Blasdel (クリストファー遙盟、 born 1951, Canyon, Texas
) is a shakuhachi
performer, researcher and writer specializing in the music of Japan
and Asia
. In 1972, while on foreign study in Tokyo
, he was introduced to the Kinko Style shakuhachi master (later designated "Living National Treasure") Goro Yamaguchi
, whom he studied with until Yamaguchi’s death in 1999. In 1975, Blasdel began learning Aikido
under Yasuo Kobayashi
and performing with the butoh
dancer Akira Kasai
at his studio, Tenshikan. Blasdel presently holds a third degree black belt in Aikido.
In 1978, Blasdel entered the Musicology Faculty at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts (Geidai) with a scholarship from the Japanese government. He studied traditional Japanese and Asian music under the pioneering ethnomusicologist Fumio Koizumi and the Noh scholar Mario Yokomichi. He studied the ancient Myôan Style shakuhachi from Chikugai Okamoto and ensemble techniques from shamisen/koto master and Living National Treasure
Kunie Fujii and gagaku
ryûteki flute under Sukeyasu Shiba. Blasdel graduated from Geidai with an MFA in 1982. In 1984, he received his shihan master teaching license and professional name, Yohmei, from Yamaguchi—the first of only two non-Japanese ever accredited by Yamaguchi.
Blasdel began working part time at the International House of Japan in 1988 as advisor to their arts program and curator of the Japan-US Friendship Commission Creative Artists’ Exchange Program. In 2005, he was promoted to Artistic Director of the International House. He taught Japanese music at International Christian University
from 2001 to 2006 and at Temple University
, Japan campus from 2002. He also taught as guest professor at Earlham College
in 1988 and Chulalongkorn University
in Bangkok in 1991.
Blasdel is the senior artistic advisor to the annual Prague Shakuhachi Festival. He also co-organized the Boulder World Shakuhachi Festival in 1998 and the World Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney
in 2008. He was featured in the Sarawak
Rainforest World Music Festival
in 2004 and numerous other festivals and concert tours introducing Japanese music to the world. To date he has made a total of eight CDs of classical and contemporary shakuhachi music. He has added shakuhachi music to live readings of such distinguished poets as John Logan
, Kenneth Rexroth
, Sam Hamill, Makoto Ooka
and Leza Lowitz
.
His publications in English include The Shakuhachi, A Manual for Learning originally published in 1988 by Ongaku no Tomo-sha, the first book on shakuhachi technique and history in the English language published by a major publishing company (later re-written and published by Printed Matter Press in 2008). In 2006, Ongaku no Tomo-sha published the Japanese version of this manual. In 2005, Printed Matter Press published his semi-autobiographic account of his life in Japan The Single Tone, A Personal Journey into Shakuhachi Music.
His Japanese publications include Shakuhachi Odessei—Ten no Neiro ni Miserarete (「尺八オデッセイ—天の音色に魅せられて」Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2000, translated and adapted into English as The Single Tone). This work was awarded the Sixth Rennyo Prize for Non Fiction in 1999.
Links:
Christopher Yohmei’s website http://www.yohmei.com
The International House of Japan, Inc. website http://www.i-house.or.jp
Aikido Kobayashi Dojo website http://www.cup.com/kobayashi-dojo/
Prague Shakuhachi Festival http://www.komuso.cz/en/festival
Japan Times Review of The Shakuhachi--A Manual for Learning http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fb20080810dr.html
Japan Times Review of The Single Tone—A Personal Journey into
Shakuhachi Music http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fb20050327dr
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) is a shakuhachi
Shakuhachi
The is a Japanese end-blown flute. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of...
performer, researcher and writer specializing in the music of Japan
Music of Japan
The music of Japan includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern. The word for music in Japanese is 音楽 , combining the kanji 音 with the kanji 楽...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. In 1972, while on foreign study in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, he was introduced to the Kinko Style shakuhachi master (later designated "Living National Treasure") Goro Yamaguchi
Goro Yamaguchi
Gorō Yamaguchi February 26, 1933- January 3, 1999, a Japanese shakuhachi player, was known for his musicality, phrasing, impeccable technique in solo and ensemble performances. He headed the Chikumeisha shakuhachi guild and became a world-famous Japanese performer and teacher...
, whom he studied with until Yamaguchi’s death in 1999. In 1975, Blasdel began learning Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
under Yasuo Kobayashi
Yasuo Kobayashi
is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan Aikikai.Kobayashi was born in Tokyo, and entered the Aikikai Hombu dojo as an uchideshi under Morihei Ueshiba in 1954. In 1969, he established his own dojo in Kodaira. He is also responsible for the aikido clubs at the Meiji University,...
and performing with the butoh
Butoh
is the collective name for a diverse range of activities, techniques and motivations for dance, performance, or movement inspired by the movement. It typically involves playful and grotesque imagery, taboo topics, extreme or absurd environments, and is traditionally performed in white body makeup...
dancer Akira Kasai
Akira Kasai
is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives for the Japanese Communist Party....
at his studio, Tenshikan. Blasdel presently holds a third degree black belt in Aikido.
In 1978, Blasdel entered the Musicology Faculty at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts (Geidai) with a scholarship from the Japanese government. He studied traditional Japanese and Asian music under the pioneering ethnomusicologist Fumio Koizumi and the Noh scholar Mario Yokomichi. He studied the ancient Myôan Style shakuhachi from Chikugai Okamoto and ensemble techniques from shamisen/koto master and Living National Treasure
Living National Treasure
Living National Treasure or Living Human Treasure is a title awarded in several countries, and denotes a person or a group which is regarded as a national treasure while still alive....
Kunie Fujii and gagaku
Gagaku
Gagaku is a type of Japanese classical music that has been performed at the Imperial Court in Kyoto for several centuries. It consists of three primary repertoires:#Native Shinto religious music and folk songs and dance, called kuniburi no utamai...
ryûteki flute under Sukeyasu Shiba. Blasdel graduated from Geidai with an MFA in 1982. In 1984, he received his shihan master teaching license and professional name, Yohmei, from Yamaguchi—the first of only two non-Japanese ever accredited by Yamaguchi.
Blasdel began working part time at the International House of Japan in 1988 as advisor to their arts program and curator of the Japan-US Friendship Commission Creative Artists’ Exchange Program. In 2005, he was promoted to Artistic Director of the International House. He taught Japanese music at International Christian University
International Christian University
There are several rankings related to ICU, shown below.-Alumni rankings:According to the Weekly Economist's 2010 rankings and the PRESIDENT's article on 2006/10/16, graduates from ICU have the 24th best employment rate in 400 major companies, and their average graduate salary is the 4th best in...
from 2001 to 2006 and at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, Japan campus from 2002. He also taught as guest professor at Earlham College
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
in 1988 and Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
in Bangkok in 1991.
Blasdel is the senior artistic advisor to the annual Prague Shakuhachi Festival. He also co-organized the Boulder World Shakuhachi Festival in 1998 and the World Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 2008. He was featured in the Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
Rainforest World Music Festival
Rainforest World Music Festival
The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual 3-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music, held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts...
in 2004 and numerous other festivals and concert tours introducing Japanese music to the world. To date he has made a total of eight CDs of classical and contemporary shakuhachi music. He has added shakuhachi music to live readings of such distinguished poets as John Logan
John Logan
-Politicians and judges:* John Alexander Logan , Australian judge* John Logan , Australian judge of the Federal Court of Australia* John William Logan , civil engineering contractor and British Member of Parliament...
, Kenneth Rexroth
Kenneth Rexroth
Kenneth Rexroth was an American poet, translator and critical essayist. He is regarded as a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, and paved the groundwork for the movement...
, Sam Hamill, Makoto Ooka
Makoto Ooka
is a Japanese poet and literary critic.Ooka's poetry column was published without a break seven days a week for more than 20 years on the front page of Asahi Shimbun, which is Japan's leading national newspaper.-Notes:...
and Leza Lowitz
Leza Lowitz
Leza Lowitz is an American expatriate writer residing in Tokyo, Japan. She has written, edited and translated over fifteen books about Japan, its relationship with the U.S.A., on the changing role of Japanese women in literature, art and society, and about the lasting effect of the Second World...
.
His publications in English include The Shakuhachi, A Manual for Learning originally published in 1988 by Ongaku no Tomo-sha, the first book on shakuhachi technique and history in the English language published by a major publishing company (later re-written and published by Printed Matter Press in 2008). In 2006, Ongaku no Tomo-sha published the Japanese version of this manual. In 2005, Printed Matter Press published his semi-autobiographic account of his life in Japan The Single Tone, A Personal Journey into Shakuhachi Music.
His Japanese publications include Shakuhachi Odessei—Ten no Neiro ni Miserarete (「尺八オデッセイ—天の音色に魅せられて」Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 2000, translated and adapted into English as The Single Tone). This work was awarded the Sixth Rennyo Prize for Non Fiction in 1999.
| Discography |
|---|
| Night of the Garuda 迦楼羅の夜、 Teichiku Records, Tokyo, 1986 |
| Voices from Afar, Voices from Within 遙なる笛、Teichiku Records, Tokyo, 1986 |
| Zen Reveries 禅問答、Moon Bridge, Portland, 1996 |
| Heart of Bamboo ハートオブバンブー、Copper Canyon Press Copper Canyon Press Copper Canyon Press is an independent, non-profit small press, specializing in the publication of poetry and located in the picturesque town of Port Townsend, Washington. Since 1972, the Press has published poetry exclusively and has established an international reputation for its commitment to... , Port Townsend, WA, 1999 |
| Bamboo Voice—Human Flute 竹の声、人の笛、Far East Records, Tokyo 2002 |
| Visionary Tones 浩々妙音、Bright One Records, Tokyo, 2005 |
| breathplay 息遊、2007 |
| NAVARASA A collaboration with acoustic bass player Mark Izu Mark Izu Mark Izu is an American jazz double bass player and composer. He is of Japanese ancestry and frequently combines jazz with Asian traditional musics in his compositions. He has performed with Anthony Brown and Jon Jang. Mark Izu is a seminal leader in the'Asian American Jazz movement... 、2010 |
Links:
Christopher Yohmei’s website http://www.yohmei.com
The International House of Japan, Inc. website http://www.i-house.or.jp
Aikido Kobayashi Dojo website http://www.cup.com/kobayashi-dojo/
Prague Shakuhachi Festival http://www.komuso.cz/en/festival
Japan Times Review of The Shakuhachi--A Manual for Learning http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fb20080810dr.html
Japan Times Review of The Single Tone—A Personal Journey into
Shakuhachi Music http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fb20050327dr