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Kobe, Japan - A komuso (monk of the Fuke sect) wearing a basket hat (tengai or tengui) and playing the shakuhachi bamboo flute. Date: 1928
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Kobe, Japan - A komuso (monk of the Fuke sect) wearing a basket hat (tengai or tengui) and playing the shakuhachi bamboo flute. Date: 1928
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Media ID 24770033
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Bamboo Buddhism Buddhist Flute Monk Pilgrimage Sect 1928 Komuso Shakuhachi Tengai
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This photograph, taken in Kobe, Japan in 1928, showcases a Komuso monk of the Fuke sect in his traditional attire as he plays the shakuhachi bamboo flute. The monk wears the distinctive basket hat, known as a tengai or tengui, which is a symbol of his devotion to his order. The Fuke sect, also known as the "flute monks," were wandering musicians and performers who traveled throughout Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). They believed that their music helped to bring about a state of spiritual enlightenment, or "kensho," in their listeners. The Komuso monks were known for their unique appearance, with their simple, monochromatic clothing and their distinctive hats. The tengai was made from bamboo or rice straw and was designed to resemble a thatched roof. It was believed that the hat helped to protect the monk from the elements and to deflect any negative energy or distractions. The shakuhachi bamboo flute, which the monk is playing in this photograph, is a traditional Japanese instrument that has been used in Buddhist ceremonies and for meditation since the 16th century. The flute is made from a single piece of bamboo and is played by covering and uncovering the holes with the fingers. The sound produced by the shakuhachi is said to be melancholic and evocative, and it is believed to help to quiet the mind and bring about a state of meditation. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the world of the Fuke sect and the traditional practices of Japanese Buddhism during the 1920s. The monk's serene expression and the peaceful setting of the photograph add to the sense of tranquility and spirituality, making it a beautiful and evocative image that transports us to another time and place.
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