Bodhidharma

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I was pleased this month to welcome
Bodhidharma in my workshop

sculpture bambou bodhidharma

I have been fascinated for a while by these Asian bamboo sculptures so I finally offered myself this present.
It is a beautiful Chinese sculpture (probably quite old in regard to its patina) made from a very impressive Moso bamboo root (Ph. Edeulis) representing the famous 6th century monk Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese) who initiated Chan Buddhism in China which became Zen in Japan.

Learn more about Bodhidharma history.

This inspiring artefact found naturally its place in my workshop and is now keeping an eye on my work !

Silver work

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This month, I could make my first experiments on working with silver thanks to help and advices from Benjamin Boulay master jeweller in Figeac.

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Autumnal restorations

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Over time, I have been working on restoring the shakuhachi given to me in London gathering.

Here are three of the nice shakuhachi that I was honoured to give their voice back !

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Next shakuhachi restoration at my workshop

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I was back from London WSF with 5 shakuhachi to repair in my bags…

Some of these works are quite reasonable, other more delicate with traditional inlaid rattant bindings and one of them is really challenging…!

1 Tozan (unknown maker), 2 Tom Deaver – 1 old Kinko (Nampo Shozan) – another pretty old kinko 2.0

I indeed felt that there was a need in Europe for proper repairing services which motivated me in studying and practising those skills from last year;
And without any special advertisement in London, I already find myself with a lot of demands.

Within the next months, restoring works will represent half of my working time at the expense of my shakuhachi making but it is still a very good way for me to study more the Ji-ari flutes from different makers and periods.

Last restoring at the workshop

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On the last weeks, I worked on restoring Alain’s flute.

It’s a Ji-ari nobekan 1.6 Tozan about 100 years old !
A flute he bought 20 years ago in an antique shop in Geneva; they found this flute in Kyoto.

I don’t have much informations on the maker Enzon Kyozon (supposedly writer of a book on Shakuhachi making); if anyone has information on that maker, please contact me.
I like his Hanko.

Here follows the details of the repairs I did on this Shakuhachi.

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