About Watazumi Doso
Lived 1910 – 1992 (aged 81–82). Watazumi Doso was a Japanese musician.
Roshi (November 20, 1911 - December 14, 1992) was a master of the end-blown Japanese bamboo flute. He studied Rinzai Zen, attaining the title of .
Born as Tanaka Masaru, he was also known as Tanaka Fumon, Itcho Fumon, Watazumi Fumon, and Watazumi Shuso.
Watazumi played unlacquered instruments that he referred to as hotchiku, in contrast with the modern shakuhachi, stressing that to truly understand nature and oneself, one had to use an instrument of the most raw and natural origin. From this grew what he called Watazumidō "Way of Watazumi".
In addition to hotchiku, Watazumi used the jō for exercise, invigoration, and training.
Quotations "It's fine that you are all deep into music. But there's something deeper and if you would go deeper, if you go to the source of where the music is being made, you'll find something even more interesting. At the source, everyone's individual music is made. If you ask what the deep place is, it's your own life and it's knowing your own life, that own way that you live." "When you hear some music or hear some sound, if for some reason you like it very well; the reason is that sound is in balance or in harmony with your pulse. And so making a sound, you try to make various different sounds that imitate various different sounds of the universe, but what you are finally making is your own sound, the sound of yourself." Sokoinrancho. Album. Philips - PH-7503. 1970. Rinbo Yondai. Album. Philips - PH-7520. 1974. The Sacrifice. Film soundtrack. 1986. Sukiyaki and Chips: The Japanese Sounds of Music. Produced and directed by Jeremy Marre. A Harcourt Films production for Channel Four.
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Important facts
People in Watazumi Doso's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Watazumi Doso's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Watazumi Doso?
Japanese musician
When was Watazumi Doso born?
Watazumi Doso was born in 1910 in Fukuoka Prefecture.
When did Watazumi Doso die?
Watazumi Doso died on 14 December 1992.
What was Watazumi Doso's occupation?
Watazumi Doso was a musician.
What nationality was Watazumi Doso?
Watazumi Doso was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Watazumi Doso. https://biography.guide/watazumi-doso/
MLA: "Watazumi Doso." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/watazumi-doso/.
Chicago: "Watazumi Doso." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/watazumi-doso/.
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