  
Riley Lee
One of the foremost performers of the shakuhachi,
Riley Lee is recognized as "dai shihan" (grand master)
- a level of mastery attained by few outside Japan.
As the instrument of Japanese Buddhist monks, the shakuhachi flute
and its evocative sound are the musical embodiment of the Zen meditation
tradition. Made from the root of madake bamboo, the shakuhachi looks
like a simple folk instrument with no reeds or keys - simply five
finger holes. Yet in the hands of a master, the shakuhachi produces
an unbelievably wide range of sounds, as expressive as the human
voice.
Known
to relax the mind, spirit, and body, playing the shakuhachi during
meditation and contemplation is called suizen, or "blowing
Zen."
Shakuhachi flute, 59 minutes.
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