John Kaizan Neptune

Hailing from California, John Kaizan Neptune ranks among the foremost contemporary masters of the Shakuhachi. A jazz musician and composer as well, he has earned esteem throughout both Eastern and Western circles through a technically refined fusion of sounds drawn from many traditions. Neptune first took up the instrument in Hawaii during 1971 under the guidance of a Japanese Buddhist priest. Two years later he headed to Japan for further study that lasted twelve months, after which he returned to Honolulu to finish an ethnomusicology degree. Once that program ended, he journeyed once more to Kyoto, where in March 1977 he was awarded the shi-han master’s certificate together with the honorary name Kaizan, meaning Sea Mountain. Since receiving those honors, Neptune has shaped contemporary music through ongoing experimentation and breadth, pairing the Shakuhachi with instrumental resources from numerous cultural sources. His performances have reached audiences across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. In addition, he crafts Shakuhachi and other bamboo instruments.