A Priceless Shakuhachi Gift in Kyoto: A Musical Encounter I Will Cherish Forever

Some moments in life arrive quietly… and then stay with you forever.

I’m sure many of you might be wondering what this is. This is a Shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute—simple in appearance, yet carrying a depth of sound that feels almost spiritual.

I first heard it in the magical surroundings of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The gentle breeze through the bamboo, and in the middle of that serenity, an artist playing the Shakuhachi… The sound was so pure, so soothing, that it felt like time had stopped. In that very moment, I knew—I had to try and learn this instrument.

Later, I started searching online and realized that even a beginner Shakuhachi costs around $300–$400. Still, I was determined. While in Kyoto, I searched for shops and found a few—some near Gion and others scattered across the city. I chose one and took a train from Kyoto Station, wandering through unfamiliar streets, asking for directions, until finally, we found the place.

The shop owner welcomed us warmly. We sat down and told him how deeply I had fallen in love with the sound of the Shakuhachi and wanted to begin learning. He brought out a few flutes and asked me to try.

It was my first time… and I couldn’t produce a single sound.

He smiled gently and began guiding me—how to hold it, how to blow, how to breathe into it. After a few attempts, a faint, beautiful tone emerged. That one sound was enough for me to realize—this was a journey I wanted to begin.

Then came the difficult part.

We asked for the price… and it was far beyond our budget. These instruments were exquisite, handcrafted, and understandably expensive. I asked him, a little hesitantly, if he had something more suitable for a beginner.

He asked us to wait.

When he returned, he brought two beautifully carved Shakuhachis, adorned with delicate gold engravings. He said they were very special and asked me to try them. I requested him again—“Please tell me the price first, only if it fits my budget…”

But he gently insisted, “First, play.”

As I held the instrument, he began sharing something deeper—that the Shakuhachi is not just an instrument, but a spiritual medium, once used in the prayers of monks devoted to Gautama Buddha. I shared how in India, the Bansuri holds a similar divine connection with Krishna. What began as a transaction slowly turned into a soulful conversation—about music, culture, and devotion.

We told him we were from Melbourne, with roots in India, and how much music meant to us.

Then we asked again about the price.

He paused… smiled… and said something I will never forget.

“These are very special to me… they are not for sale.”

For a moment, my heart sank.

But then he looked at me and said,
“The one you loved… I would like to gift it to you.”

I was speechless.

I felt overwhelmed, grateful, and honestly, a little embarrassed. We tried to refuse—how could we accept something so valuable? But he quietly went inside, returned with a small book, and said,

“If you want to pay… just pay for this.”

The book cost only 1000 yen.

We were completely stunned. Words fell short. We thanked him with all our hearts. He blessed us, wishing us a beautiful journey ahead.

Even after leaving the shop, I was in a trance for hours… unable to fully process what had just happened.

Later, back at the hotel, I searched for his name and the shop.

And that’s when it hit me even harder.

He wasn’t just any shop owner. He is one of the legendary Shakuhachi makers and players in Japan—someone who has dedicated his life to the instrument, even contributing unique innovations to it. People from around the world travel to him to own a piece of his handcrafted artistry.

And he chose to gift one… to me.

My eyes filled instantly. It took me days to truly absorb the magnitude of that moment.

Today, this Shakuhachi rests with me here in Melbourne—not just as an instrument, but as a symbol of kindness, humility, and the universal language of music.

It is, without a doubt, the most priceless instrument I own…
and a memory I will cherish for a lifetime.