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How To Earn, Qualify for, a 'Menkyo Kaiden' Teacher Certificate
at Today's Kyōto Myōan Temple?
The "License of Total Transmission" ... :
"All Aspects of the Art"?
Now Even Acquiring Such a Fine Diploma Via Zoom, Skype, or Facetime?
免許皆伝 - 明暗寺
Kyōto Myōan-ji, 1977. Photos: Torsten Olafsson.
So, what does it actually "demand" of someone to receive that unique honor of being 'Kansu' authorized to practice as
a certified Myōan Taizan-ha 'Suizen Shakuhachi' teacher these days,
in 2025, for ever and always - and enjoy potential future financial gains from such an activity, also?
What is a 'Menkyo Kaiden'?
First, just googling a bit, you get this explanation:
"Menkyo Kaiden (
免許皆伝)
is a Japanese term meaning "license of total transmission."
It signifies the highest level of achievement within a traditional Japanese martial art (Koryu),
indicating that the recipient has mastered all aspects of the art and is authorized to teach it."
- - -
"In essence, receiving a Menkyo Kaiden signifies that the individual has not only mastered the techniques and knowledge of the art
but also possesses the authority to teach and perpetuate it."
Google search: "Menkyo kaiden"
Also on that web page:
"Menkyo kaiden (
免許皆伝
), (
めんきょかいでん
) is a Japanese term meaning "license of total transmission."
Kaiden (
皆伝
) means "initiation into an art or discipline."
It is a license that is used by a school or ko-ryū, meaning that the student has learned everything
and passed all aspects of his/her training within the ko-ryū."
And, according to Wikipedia.org:
Wikipedia: "Menkyo"
What does that actually "mean" in the modern world of "shakuhachi asceticism"?
Usually, at any "ordinary" music conservatory or other serious music academy, you'll also be examined and tested in both music theory, music history, and music ideology.
Does that ever take place before bestowing a "teacher certificate" on any Myōan Taizan-ha 'Suizen' Shakuhachi student, at all?
Is every Myōan Shakuhachi apprentice also required to tell:
"the truth, the whole truth - and nothing but the truth" ...
Japanogically, academically, and strictly factually speaking?
Next, asking Google/AI and Google Translate for an explanation of 'Menkyo Kaiden',
here's what you get:
「免許皆伝」は、武術や芸道などで、師匠が弟子に奥義を全て伝え、その修了を認めることを意味します。
「免許」と「皆伝」は本来別の意味ですが、一般的には両方が揃って初めて「免許皆伝」となります。
Google translating as this, quite decently it appears:
"'Menkyo Kaiden' means that in martial arts or performing arts, a master teaches his disciple
all of his secrets and recognizes his completion.
'Menkyo' and 'Kaiden' originally have different meanings, but generally, it is only when both are present
that one is considered to be 'Menkyo Kaiden.'"
So, we should of course be asking,
What are all those, the 'Shakuhachi' teacher's "secrets" ... ?
- That a Chinese flute player composed 'Kyorei' after hearing Fuke's bell, early in the 9th century?
- That Shinchi Kakushin learned and brought 'Kyorei' with him back to Japan in 1254,
accompanied by four lay Buddhist Chinese shakuhachi players?
- That Kakushin's deeply devoted Japanese disciple 'Kichiku' then composed 'Mukaiji' and 'Kokō'?
And so, and so, and so on ...
Now, while the three above paragraphs of course originate with the completely fabricated Kyotaku denki fable, first published in Kyōto in 1795,
this remarkable addition first seems to have appeared in public with the somewhat recent launch of an English explanation on the Myōan Temple's website:
"Hotto established suizen of “Blowing Zen meditation” after realizing that blowing shakuhachi is an excellent means of meditation."
Headlines on page: 'Myoan Shakuhachi' & 'Suizen'
The above statement about "Blowing Zen meditation" (Jap.: 'Suizen'!) however differs from the original Japanese text that reads,
「法燈国師は尺八をもって座禅一助の便法、禅定悟得の妙法とした指導理念で「吹簫禅すいしょうぜん」すなわち「吹禅すいぜん」を確立されました。」
"Hottō Kokushi [1203–1298, ed.] established 'Suishō-zen', namely 'Sui-zen', using the shakuhachi as a convenient method
for aiding in zazen meditation and a marvellous method for achieving Zen enlightenment."
Read more here:
Hottō Kokushi a.k.a. Kakushin Did Not "Invent" 'Suizen',
Nor Did He "Invent" 'Suishō-zen'!
Do observe, however - once and for all:
The term and concept 'Sui-shō-zen' only first appeared in writing in 1928!
The term and concept 'Suizen' is nowhere to be seen before the year 1950!
The historical fact is, of course, that Shinchi Kakushin/Hottō Kokushi had nothing whatsoever to do ever with the Japanese shakuhachi, period!
Turning to the issue of "Myōan Shakuhachi ideology" now, here's the Myōan Temple's translation and interpretation
of Fuke Zenji's powerful early 9th century statement regarding
the illusory duality of the 'Myō' and 'An' "pair":
“If attacked in the light, I will strike back in the light.
If attacked in the dark, I will strike in the dark.”;
“If from all quarters, I will strike as a whirlwind does.
If attacked from the empty sky, I will thrash with a flail.”
That so-called "translation" originates directly with Tsuge Gen'ichi's rendering of Kyotaku denki,
published by the US music magazine Asian Music in 1977:
Read Tsuge's full Kyotaku denki translation here, internal link:
Tsuge Gen'ichi: Kyotaku denki, PDF file.
Read more about the actual ideological significance of Fuke's 'Myō-An' statement, a rather more correct discussion, translation and interpretation:
650 to the Present - A Quite Precise Timeline:
The 'Myō' & 'An' "Pair"?
- The 'Myō' versus 'An' Duality Philosophical Challenge
- From Huineng to Post-WW2 Myōan Shakuhachi Ideologues
The True Meaning of 'Myō-An Sōzō'
- The "Light & Darkness" of Hui-neng, Shi-t'ou, and P'u-k'o
Huineng, Shih-t'ou & P'u-k'o on 'Myōan sōzō
- The Complementary Pair "The Bright" & "The Dark"
So, what can be the result when an officially certified non-Japanese Myōan Shakuhachi teacher like f.i. Sébastien Mouton preaches
Myōsn Shakuhachi history and ideology online, WWW-wise?:
L: Sébastien Mouton in the main hall, Myōan-ji.
R: 'Suizen gyōka seigan-bun' 'Komusō beggar's vow
Sebastien Shogetsu: "Myoan Shakuhachi, the sacred sound"
And this:
Sebastien Shogetsu: "Myoan teachers association (Doushukai)"
No, Sébastien Mouton: Myōan Shakuhachi teachers are not "priests", period!:
"At present, more than 200 priests who have been granted the license to teach shakuhachi throughout the country
are working hard to hand down the art of shakuhachi to the next generation and to train their students."
'Menkyo kaiden' according to Myōan-ji/Myōan Dōshukai:
「現在、このように全国で免許皆伝を授与された200余名の導主が、明暗尺八の伝承、門人の育成にと日々研鑽に努めているところです。
In English, translated by Google Translate:
"Currently, there are more than 200 masters who have been awarded the Menkyo Kaiden (proficiency) from all over the country,
and they are devoting themselves to their studies every day to pass on the traditions of the Meian Shakuhachi and to educate their students."
Myōan-ji/Myōan Dōshukai website front page
Regarding Myōan-ji 'Suizen', 'Kaiden', and related matters you may read this account:
Christian T. Mau: "Situating the Myōan Kyōkai:
A Study of Suizen and the Fuke Shakuhachi"
Yet here once again, SOAS PhD ethnomusicologist Kiku Day's question - although so far still not answered! -
that was first placed online in September, 2022, and in February, 2023,
is still overwhelmingly relevant:
"What is the Role of the Ethnomusicologist
When Historical Facts and Beliefs of Players Do Not Correspond?"
The latest "News":
2024-2025: Kiku Day presents herself as a now "officially authorized" 'Myōan Taizan-ha Shakuhachi' teacher:
Kyōto Myōan Temple's 42nd 'Kansu', also named Seian Genshin, photo shoot, or rather: "branding up",
with European 'Shakuhachi' player Kiku Day on May 26, 2024.
Read more here:
Kiku Day website: "Fuke Myōan Shakuhachi" web page - Learn 'Myōan Shakuhachi' with Kiku Day
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