Workshop Visit: “Fue Kobo Waraku”
October 13, 2023 (Saturday)
I visited Mr. Yasutomo Tanaka, a certified traditional craftsman of Ota City, at Fue Kobo Waraku, a workshop specializing in Japanese flutes.
There are only two certified flute craftsmen in Tokyo and around ten nationwide, and Mr. Tanaka receives inquiries about transverse flutes from all over Japan.
Inside the workshop, there were various types of flutes with different uses and tonal qualities—classical style, Western style, Ryukyu flutes, gagaku (court music) flutes, and even flutes designed for mountain use.
I had the opportunity to try a Ryukyu flute myself. As I explored how to produce sound, I realized it actually requires quite a bit of core strength—so it might even be good for fitness!
Please also enjoy the beautiful sound of Mr. Tanaka’s flute in the video.
Mr. Tanaka is also involved in promoting traditional Japanese instruments through the Japan Traditional Musical Instruments Promotion Association.
However, it seems that fewer people today are interested in learning traditional Japanese instruments.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I’d like to try an instrument, but isn’t it difficult?”
“Can beginners really do it?”
“I’m interested in traditional Japanese instruments…”
Whether it’s flute, koto, shakuhachi, taiko, tsuzumi, or surigane—
if you’d like to try, please feel free to reach out.
Mr. Tanaka, thank you very much.
