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“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 |
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“Akikazu Nakamura has published an important book adding to the Shakuhachi repertoire in English, Breathing with Misspoke: 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
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“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, focusing 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)
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