Page 6 - Riley Lee News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Riley Lee is Australia's only shakuhachi Grand Master, and one of the few outside of Japan. Born in Texas, he began playing in Japan in 1971. His studies with teachers have included such methods as practising barefoot in the snow and under waterfalls, blowing into his flute in blizzards until icicles form at its end and running marathons. In 1980 he attained rank of dai shihan (Grand Master), the first non-Japanese to reach this rank. He is a recipient of two of the most revered lineages of shakuhachi playing, descending from the original Zen Buddhist priests of nothingness of Edo Japan. His teacher is Katsuya Yokoyama. He completed his BA and MA degrees at the University of Hawai'i and received his PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Sydney specialising in the Zen Buddhist repertoire of the shakuhachi. Riley is also noted for his breathing workshops.

United statesNew south walesKatsuya yokoyamaUniversity of hawaiiUniversity of sydneyRiley leeGrand masterZen buddhist