Weekly Newsletter for Shinobue Lovers

March 30, 2025

Spring has arrived in Japan! This beautiful country truly cherishes nature, and there are so many delightful songs that celebrate the changing seasons.

Let’s enjoy some lovely Japanese spring songs on the shinobue!

For beginners: "Tulip"

This beloved children's song was composed in 1932 by Takeshi Inoue. It contains only ryo on, so it is a very good song to learn for beginners. But it starts with ryo on 1, so if you are having a hard time playing ryo on 1, it might be a bit challenging. You can download the free sheet music for this song on saitomusic.com/free.

I have uploaded tutorial videos (lessons 1-3) for this song.

For intermediate players: "Sakura Sakura"

Japan is famous for its stunning sakura blossoms in spring, and who can resist this iconic song? "Sakura Sakura" is likely the most recognized Japanese folk tune.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom all over Japan. They fill the country with their beautiful flowers.

But for shinobue, it is a challenging song to play. That is the reason why I have not released any tutorials (since most of our viewers are beginners). But if you are an intermediate to advanced player, here are the fingering!

2　2　3、2 　2　3

2　3　4　3　2　32　七メ

六　四　六　７メ　六　六四　三　

2　3　4　3　2　32　七メ

六　四　六　７メ　六　六四　三　

2　2　3、2 　2　3

六　七メ　３２　七メ　六

Depending on the key of the karaoke track, I start with 六。But with this version, I need to bring up 3rd and 5th phrases one octave higher to avoid missing the lowest note of the song.

六　六　七、六　六　七　

六　七　１　七　六　七六　四　

３　１　３　４　３　３１　七　

六　七　１　七　六　七六　四

３　１　３　４　３　３１　七　

六　六　七、六　六　七　

三　四　七六　四　三　

Here is a video of me playing in that version.

Intermediate to Advanced Players: "Samidare" from Naruto Shippuden

I absolutely love the Naruto series and have watched all the episodes (over 1,000) as well as the movies. While I adore the characters and the storyline, my greatest passion lies in the music! My number one favorite Naruto song is "Samidare." To me, this song is perfection.

The term "Samidare" means May Rain. In Japanese, it connotes light rain that keeps falling, much like during the rainy season. With its melancholy melody, it feels almost like tears that never stop! 😭😭😭

How beautiful is that? It’s so poetic! I can’t help but get emotional every time I play this song!

Needless to say, I have uploaded numerous videos featuring this song.

This is the 8 hon choshi version, which has almost 3K views.

Here is the recent one with 6 hon choshi.

Here is the tutorial! Get the free sheet music at saitomusic.com/free

Which is your favorite spring song for shinobue? Let me know!

Check out these new videos on my YouTube channel!

Tatara Toki sensei interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in May, I had the wonderful chance to interview the amazing shinobue artist and composer Tatara Toki-sensei in Tokyo! I finally found the time to edit the footage, and I had so much fun putting it together—it’s both informative and entertaining! Throughout this spring, I’ll be sharing four videos from our chat. In the first one, she offers some fantastic advice for beginners. You definitely won’t want to miss it!

I’m excited to share a short video featuring one of my favorite relaxation tracks that I composed! I really hope it brings you a sense of calm and refreshes your spirit while you watch. Enjoy!

The live performance with taiko!! Nancy Ozaki and Gary Tsujimoto played with the famed Ondekoza. Check out the footage of our concert!

One of my channel's most viewed videos is the "A Life Sent On" cover. Here is a short version!

I accidentally released this "Hikari sasu umie" last week... but it is doing even better than "A Life Sent On"!!!! This was composed by Mr. Kazuya Sato, who is a good friend of my teacher, Bunta sensei!

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Q & A: What is the difference between expensive shinobues and less expensive ones?

Answer: The most noticeable differences between high end bamboo flutes and less expensive ones are tonal quality and pitch accuracy. Generally, less expensive shinobues lack the richness and depth of sound that their more expensive counterparts have. Additionally, they may not be as pitch-accurate and might not be as durable.

If you're on a tight budget, I recommend opting for Suzuki plastic shinobues instead of bamboo flutes. This is because Suzuki shinobues offer consistent quality, while bamboo flutes can vary since they are made from natural materials. Furthermore, plastic shinobues are washable and more durable. You can just throw it in your backpack and take it anywhere without a fuss. You can use the plastic shinobue to learn the basics, and if you truly enjoy playing, consider investing in a high-quality bamboo flute later on.