Joshua M. Smith is a shakuhachi performer, teacher, and researcher based in both Buffalo, NY and Fukui, Japan . He studied Kinko ryu shakuhachi for many years under Okada Michiaki in Kyoto, himself a student of the famous Yokoyama Katsuya. He focuses on traditional honkyoku pieces as well as composing. He also continues his studies with the 42nd Head of Myoan-ji Temple in Kyoto, Seian Genshin,  studying Fuke Myoan Shakuhachi and the jinashi tradition.

 

He also performs and records as a unit called “Kurofune” that he formed with Izukawa "Shido" Hidefumi.　

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh's creative journey was fostered after graduating from the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts and first earning a certificate in creative studies at the International Center for Studies in Creativity in Buffalo, NY. He didn’t even realize that creativity was a subject that could be studied, but they were doing creative problem solving (CPS) techniques and facilitating brainstorming sessions, but ultimately at that time in his life Japan had a grip on his interests and he did a year study abroad to Kansai Gaidai in Osaka, Japan. There he took classes in sumi-e black ink painting and creativity as well.  

​

Music Awards and Achievements

• Master Performer: Taimadera Temple- Nakanobo, Nara, Japan (February 10, 2009) [This is the first time the title of “master performer” has been given to a non-Japanese person]

• Second place award, World Shakuhachi Competition (S-1 Grand Prix Young Players Competition Final’s Concert), World Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney, Australia. (July 5, 2008)

• Performances and shakuhachi offerings at all of the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. [I walked the entire pilgrimage of 1,400 kilometers / 870 miles]

• Solo Shakuhachi CDs
  “Mahoroba” (Utopia) featuring traditional shakuhachi meditations and original pieces  

• “Hakuho-on” (“Sound of the White Phoenix”) featuring traditional shakuhachi meditation pieces and original pieces 

• Duo CD with Shiho Kimura, “Japanesque Sounds” featuring original compositions for shakuhachi and koto 

• Self-titled CD “Kurofune” featuring original compositions for shakuhachi duets, piano and electro-acoustic instruments with Izukawa Hidefumi

• Kurofune’s 2nd CD release “Kaze Wataru" (Flowing Wind) with Izukawa Hidefumi 

• Soundtrack for CD and DVD, “The Deeper Meditation Audio Course” produced by Tom Von Deck (2009-2010) (Denver, Colorado)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

A few notable Shakuhachi Performances and Lectures

• Nara Heijyo Sentosai Festival (Nara’s 1300th year anniversary), Imperial Palace Site, Nara, Japan

• Guest Performer, Kumamoto Shakuhachi Festival, Kumamoto, Japan

• Featured performer/lecturer for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering of over 30 ambassadors in Nara, Japan

• National Historical Park Site of the Ishibutai (Stone Stage) Area in Asuka, private outdoor concert during Cherry blossom festival. This started Kurofune’s national tour including Tokyo, Akita, Nagoya, Gifu, Fukui…

• Burchfield Penny Art Center, Buffalo, NY.

• Performance and lecture at Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY

• NHK National Radio Interview and Performance, Japan...

​

Miscellaneous 

• Ordained Koyasan Shingon Sect Buddhist Monk (December 2009), Taimadera Temple, Nakanobo. 

• Taimadera Temple, Nara, Japan (2009-present). Lectures in both English and Japanese on topics including meditation, history and culture 

• Authorized teacher, International Shakuhachi Training Center (Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshukan), Yokoyama/Style Kinko School of Shakuhachi (2009). Permission to teach and perform the shakuhachi of the Kinko School, given by Okada Michiaki

 

Education

• Flow State Coach (2021). Under guidance from Steven Kotler and the Flow Research Collective.

• Osaka University, Japan. Graduate School of Human Sciences

Degree: Ph.D. in Sociology (2010)
Focus of Study: Sociology of Culture (Japanese Culture)

Thesis Topic: Traditional and Modern Arts of Japan, "Modernization in the Shakuhachi Art World"

• Osaka University, Japan. Graduate School of Human Sciences

Degree: Master of Science in Sociology (2006)
Focus of Study: Traditional Japanese arts, Music and Culinary Sociology
Thesis Topic: "Shaped by the Wind: Artistic and Cultural Identity Formation of Shakuhachi Players"​

• Osaka YMCA Gakuin, Japan

Certification: Advanced Japanese Language (2003-2004)

• Buffalo State College (State University of New York)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (2000)
Focus of Study: Japanese Language and Culture

Certification: Buffalo State Graduate Studies, Center for Creative Studies (2000)