Shakuhachi Spotting

I'm armchair traveller much more than I'd really like to be these days but the responsibilities of caring for a senior dawg are reining in my wandering ways.  All is not lost though, I have more focused time now to play my flute and, as well, drum and strum.  And I've been able to savour the daily Facebook photo updates that our local shakuhachi master, Alcvin Ramos, has been posting of his 2015 Shakuhachi Roots pilgrimage.  Among the many fascinating photos of Japanese temples and meetings with well known shakuhachi teachers and players, Al has documented numerous shakuhachi themed imagines.  Here are a few of the prints and paintings he took photos of on his recent trip:

Hank

They are the poor person's hang drum, the hank drums were originally made from propane tanks and are tongue drums created to provide a cheaper alternative to the Swiss made hang drum and its subsequent copies. 

The hank, a term that arose from the combination of tank and hang, is now usually fined crafted from carefully shaped steel specially formed for the drum body and then precisely tuned by experienced artisans. 

This hank is a Manastone and plays in the key of E in a Mixotonic scale. 

Though mallets can be used to play this steel tongue drum, many prefer to use their fingers and hands for a greater range of techniques and a more intimate relationship with the instrument. Playing the hank is like going on a trip through a colourful and varied soundscape comprised of a blend of percussion and melody.