Affiliate Organizations

Specific shakuhachi organizations with which the SSSG has formal affiliations include:

The Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshūkan (International Shakuhachi Training Center; KSK Japan)

This is our parent organization that was founded by Yokoyama Katsuya in 1988.  As of now, the KSK website is Japanese language only.

KSK-North America

This is the North America branch of our headquarters dojo, KSK-Japan.  On this site you can find information about the history of the KSK and biographical information about our founder, Yokoyama Katsuya, his teachers, and the teachers who continue to keep the KSK vibrant and active

KSK Europe

The European arm of the KSK is managed by our good colleague Markus Guhe and includes information about current and recent shakuhachi events throughout Europe.

Nationally, the SSSG is also affiliated with:

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

From their website, the JACL is described as “a national organization whose mission is to secure and safeguard the civil and human rights of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and all communities who are affected by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American Community.”  The SSSG has been privileged to participate in JACL events in the past and we look forward to a continued relationship with this important organization.

And locally, we are affiliated with:

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW)

This is a wonderful organization devoted to keeping Japanese language, history and cultural arts alive and very visible in Seattle.  Our annual Shakuhachi Matsuri is held on their site every year and we are delighted and grateful for our relationship with the Center.

The Seattle Japanese Garden

Performers from the KSK and from the SSSG have had the good fortune to play concerts and at the Moon Viewing event hosted annually by the garden.  It is truly one of Seattle’s treasured resources.

The Portland Japanese Garden

We’ve also been afforded a similar opportunity to perform at the annual Moon Viewing and other cultural programs at the Portland Japanese Garden, another jewel of the Pacific Northwest.

Japanese Koto Club

Headquartered in Kent, WA, the Japanese Koto Club has provided KSK/SSSG performers the opportunity to collaborate on traditional Japanese pieces for koto and shakuhachi, including performing at Folk Life here in Seattle.

Kogut Butoh

Founded by Joan Laage, Kogut Butoh is a Seattle-based Butoh dance group with whom we’ve had the good fortune to collaborate on multiple productions.

Other Useful Links

Website of Kakizakai Kaoru
This is the personal website for Kakizakai Sensei and includes information about his performance schedule and opportunities for instruction.
Monty Levenson’s Website

This is the website for the premiere shakuhachi maker and restorer in North America, Monty Levenson. Over the span of many years, Monty has been providing players of all ability levels top quality, well made and well-tuned flutes that typically are as beautiful to look at as they are to play. He is an excellent craftsman who is also well regarded for his repair and restoration work, and his website is truly a complete market place for all things shakuhachi. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to give him our full endorsement.

Shakuhachi maker hanko database
This is a growing database of the hankō (burned-in stamps) that you find on some shakuhachi. These stamps identify the maker of the flute and as a rule, two or three stamps on one flute indicate an instrument of high quality. If you have a flute with the maker’s hankō branded in, you may well be able to find the hankō on this site, along with some information about the maker and their lineage.