I play the hitoyogiri, a flute from medieval Japan — hardly anyone still does.

What I share here is the peculiar discipline of caring deeply about something obscure.

The hitoyogiri is the ancestor of the Fuke shakuhachi, and it disappeared during the 18th century. But manuscripts survived, and the little flute is currently kept alive — just barely — by a handful of dedicated players scattered around the world. I'm one of them.

In this journal, I document my journey trying to revive this instrument — the repertoire, the dead ends, the little epiphanies. I also share music and thoughts on my YouTube channel, Shakuhachi Diaries, where the videos follow my practice through the seasons.

You could say I'm a modern-day hermit — seated on the edge of the world, dwelling in the hush between drifting clouds and the hum of purring cats. If you're the kind of person who finds something beautiful in a nearly-extinct flute, in slow learning, in the long way round — come along, you'll feel at home.

✉️ — You can reach me at Odrey@hitoyogiri.com.

📚 — My teacher is Nick Bellando, founder of the Shin Sosa Ryu.

🇫🇷 — L'école a un espace dédié en Français, contactez-moi pour en savoir plus.