European Shakuhachi Society

Last updated
European Shakuhachi Society
Founded2006
TypeNon-profit association
FocusPromotion of shakuhachi
HeadquartersFrance
Location
  • Paris, France
Key people
 Jim Franklin (founder)
Kiku Day (former chair)
Thorsten Knaub (chair)
Riley Lee (honorary member)
Website shakuhachisociety.eu

The European Shakuhachi Society (ESS) is a non-profit association that promotes the understanding and practice of the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute, throughout Europe. Founded in 2006 [1] , the organization functions as an umbrella body for shakuhachi players across Europe and organizes annual summer schools, workshops, and educational events. [2]

Contents

History

Foundation and early years (2005–2009)

The origins of the European Shakuhachi Society date to 2005, when Michael Soumei Coxall and Kiku Day organized the first European Shakuhachi Summer School in London, attracting more than 50 participants. [3] Following this event, the Society was formally founded in 2006 by Jim Franklin, Kiku Day, Michael Soumei Coxall and Véronique Piron during the first Pan-European Shakuhachi Summer School, held in London from 19 to 22 July 2006. [1] [4]

The Society was registered as an educational charity in England and Wales in 2008 (Charity Commission registration number 1123060). [5] Jim Franklin served as the founding chairperson from 2006 to 2009, [6] [7] followed by Kiku Day, who chaired the organization from 2009 to 2019. [3]

Development and expansion (2010–2018)

During the 2010s, the ESS expanded its activities to include online resources, newsletters, the ESS Journal, and an online discussion forum for shakuhachi practitioners in Europe. [4]

World Shakuhachi Festival 2018

The European Shakuhachi Society was the principal organizer of the World Shakuhachi Festival 2018, held in London from 30 July to 4 August 2018, in partnership with the Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshūkan (KSK) of Japan. [8] The event marked the first time the World Shakuhachi Festival was held in Europe. [9]

The festival included approximately 80 invited performers from Japan and other countries and took place across several London venues, including Union Chapel, SOAS University of London, and Goldsmiths, University of London. [8]

On 30 July 2018, the ESS organized a one-day Shakuhachi Symposium at SOAS, University of London, featuring keynote presentations and academic papers from researchers based in Europe, Japan, Australia, and North America. [10]

The festival received financial and institutional support from several Japanese and UK-based organizations, including the Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom, the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Government of Japan, the Tokyo Club, the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, and Mitsubishi Electric. [11]

Recent activities (2020–present)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Society organized an online festival titled NowHere2020, held in August 2020 and featuring international instructors. [12]

At the Annual General Meeting held on 5 November 2022, a new board was elected, with Thorsten Knaub appointed as chairperson. [13]

In 2020, the Society restructured its legal framework and established a non-profit association under French law, transferring its primary registration from the United Kingdom to France. [14] The former UK-registered charity was subsequently removed from the Charity Commission for England and Wales register in 2021 following the transfer of operations. [5]

Activities

Summer schools

The ESS organizes annual summer schools at locations throughout Europe, offering instruction for participants ranging from beginners to advanced players. [4] Locations have included the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, and Finland.

Publications and resources

The Society maintains an official website featuring directories of shakuhachi teachers and instrument makers, publishes the ESS Journal, distributes member newsletters, and operates an online forum for practitioners. [15]

Organization

The European Shakuhachi Society has been registered as a non-profit association in France since 2020. It was previously registered as a charitable organization in the United Kingdom between 2008 and 2021. [5]

Governance

The Society is governed by an elected board consisting of a chairperson, treasurer, secretary and additional officers. A Circle of Advisers provides guidance and includes founding members and senior shakuhachi practitioners. [16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 ""Charities Commission for England and Wales: Register of Charities" . Retrieved 2025-12-31.
  2. ↑ "The European Shakuhachi Society" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Community Work – Kiku Day" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "Organisers – World Shakuhachi Festival 2018" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "European Shakuhachi Society – Charity overview" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "Jim Franklin biography". Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshūkan Europe. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "World Shakuhachi Festival London – Organisers". Goldsmiths, University of London. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  8. 1 2 "About World Shakuhachi Festival 2018" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "World Shakuhachi Festival London – Goldsmiths, University of London" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Shakuhachi Symposium – World Shakuhachi Festival 2018" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "World Shakuhachi Festival 2018" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  12. ↑ "Events – Shakuhachi Atelier" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "News archive – The European Shakuhachi Society" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "European Shakuhachi Society Articles of Association" (PDF). 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  15. ↑ "European Shakuhachi Society Journal" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  16. ↑ "ESS Structure" . Retrieved 28 December 2024.
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