AKIKAZU NAKAMURA -COMPOSER, JAPANESE BAMBOO FLUTE PLAYER

“Breathing with Missoku is a fascinating look at the inner details of shakuhachi performance study, where Nakamura shares his quest to learn the truth about Missoku, a special shakuhachi method pioneered long ago by traveling Zen monks in music and meditation. Nakamura, now himself a master, tells stories describing how he traveled in Japan to meet with the zen monks who were authorities of this specialized technique in storied set in temples and elsewhere, tales that are engaging for shakuhachi students and non-students alike.”

Carl Stone, Electronic music composer, performer and emeritus professor in Media Engineering at Chukyo University

“Akikazu Nakamura has published an important book adding to the Shakuhachi repertoire in English, Breathing with Missoku: the Undiscovered Zen Secret of Japanese Culture. This includes, but goes beyond being a textbook reference on Missoku (esoteric breathing) how to control the breath in playing the Shakuhachi. Reflecting Professor Nakamura’s broad background in a wide range of musical genres, including rock, jazz, contemporary classical music, improvised music, and cross-genre collaboration. 

His broad perspective is based on a foundation of music gained at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and graduate school at the New England Conservatory of Music, as well as extensive performing experience in 40 countries. 

He eases you into the experience of Missoku with illustrations and photos, and you can share in his lessons through videos on his YouTube Channel. Nevertheless, it is probably best experienced through lessons that can transform your breathing and sound through the Shakuhachi. His comparison of Western and Japanese views of the body through Japanese Tone Color and Vocal Frequency will be of particular interest to music students.  

In Breathing with Missoku, he turns this broad perspective to show how esoteric breathing appears in all of the traditional Japanese arts, from Noh and Kabuki to Martial Arts and Zen. His chapter on A Culture of Calmness makes a persuasive connection on how breathing is the Key to the Japanese Arts. It is through the heightening of the senses that you experience the transformation of the world, and the richness of Japanese Culture.”

William Reed, Professor of Japanese Culture, International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA), Yamanashi Gakuin University 

“After having just read Breathing with Missoku:The Undiscovered Zen Secret of Japanese Culture, I am excited to apply this unique breathing method to my daily life. Japanese bamboo flute (shakuhachi) Nakamura-sensei explains the Missoku technique in a manner that is easily insightful and focuses on its potential to improve physical health and mental well-being. Being able to do this through such simple accessible practices is highly motivating. I can’t wait to experience the transformative effects for myself!”

Mike Lacktorin , PhD, founding director and former dean, Akita International University (AIU)

“The Missoku breathing technique can be a powerful tool to bring us into a more direct engagement with our true self. Missoku breathing is a unique phenomenon because it’s both a bodily function and something that can be deliberately influenced with practice. It serves as an interface with the intrinsic energy flow of our being. 

Missoku is engaging with something that’s inherently present and dynamic. This can help you step out of the habitual thought patterns and interpretations that tend to dominate our experience. By giving attention to the Missoku breath technique, you allow yourself to notice the presence of this present experience without the usual distractions of the mind. It has a dynamism that reflects the vitality of experience itself. So, in a way, Missoku breathing can help you tune into the inherent perfection of what is here, beyond the constructs of the mind, and bring you closer to the presence that is always available. Missoku has many benefits but its spiritual application is primary. 

The author takes us on a genuine spiritual journey of the undiscovered secret of Japanese culture. A tremendous spirit flows through this book. There’s not a sentence wasted throughout the work. It’s written authentically, by my friend and teacher, who passionately wants to make something very clear, and he succeeds. 

In sharing his quest, Akikazu has enriched my life and will inspire others on their path to a healthier more vibrant and fulfilling life.”

Ray Brooks, Author of “Blowing Zen, finding an authentic life” and “The shadow that seeks the sun; finding joy, love, and answers on the river Ganges.”

“It made me think about how much modern Japanese music has inherited the traditional elements of `micro-volume,` `non-integral overtone changes,`and `unconscious communication,` as well as the traditional scales, sound organization, sense of rhythm and sense of `pause.` I pray this valuable book will be widely read for the understanding of Japanese music!`

Alison Torita, PhD, Guest Professor, Kyoto City University of the Arts

“…its gravitas and persuasive power are rooted first and foremost in the author’s acknowledged status as a peerless shakuhachi master and an amazingly versatile musician.
This book is highly recommended to anyone interested in Japanese culture, music, or self-improvement techniques.”

Maryellen Toman Mo

“I’m really interested in your breath process and find that it nicely complements what I’ve already been doing… I’m going to recommend this book to some of my students.”

Ralph Samuelson

To begin on a personal note: As a young man growing up in London in the 1960s, I was instructed by teachers who had lived through World War II. Military techniques were still being used in high-school sports training. I remember the often-used phrase “Chest out, stomach in!” to accompany the sharp inbreath when we were ordered to stand to attention like soldiers.

For me this was the normal way to breathe. Many years later, I realised that this forced, high-tension way of breathing was actually a method for muting fear and emotions for soldiers going into battle.

Around the age of 30 I went into a long, intense period of studying meditation. During this process I naturally developed a slower, more natural way of breathing. Eventually my breathing technique had become the exact opposite of what I had experienced at school, with the stomach gently expanding on the inbreath. This was life-changing, has remained with me permanently, and heralded a deep transformation in my creative work in music and art.

So it comes as no surprise to me to read in this remarkable book how profound the effect Missoku Breathing has always had on the entire culture and lifestyle of Japan. I have never read a clearer and more detailed explanation of what it is that makes the Japanese people so uniquely refined and sensitive.

Missoku seems to be the uniting force that underlies all aspects of Japanese life – posture, speech, art, music, architecture, fashion, etiquette, social behaviour, etc. For us non-Japanese, after reading this meticulously-written volume, this country no longer has to remain an enigma, an inscrutable, mysterious nation. Akikazu Nakamura has lifted the veil and shown us the profound yet simple logic behind what makes Japan truly Japanese.

Morgan Fisher, musician and photographer, Mott the Hoople