As a new member of the forum and somebody who has had a dearth of contact with
other players for many years I'm keen to participate so I hope you don't mind if
I begin with a subject dear to my heart which pertains not only to the
shakuhachi but also to all arts and skills which emanate from the East - the use
of the word 'master'.
To my mind the word 'master'is unacceptable for two main reasons.
1. It's sexist. - " oh no ! political correctness gone crazy again " I hear you
say , but I would counter that with the fact that all language comes with
cultural baggage ( the often quoted example is that Inuits have 20 words for
snow ) and as our culture evolves so does our language. The word 'master' comes
from male dominated cultures where it was only men's abilities which counted.
We now recognise that the other 50 % of the human race has a great deal to offer
and we should change our vocabulary accordingly if only for the simple reason of
grammar - how does one describe Kiku Day for example ? - A mistress ? - giggle
, giggle - yes , exactly ! It's interesting that the female equivalent of
master means in fact someone who is mastered rather than someone who has
acheived a high level of proficiency.

2. The term is used by certain people to give themselves an aura of
inscrutability and authenticity. " I studied with a Tai chi master " , " I
studied with a karater master " , " I studied with a shakuhachi master "
But never " I studied with a saxophone master " or " I studied with a trumpet
master "
Why is this ? Because the word master has become associated with the eastern
arts and by using it you give yourself a certain air of authority . It seems to
me that boosting ones image in this way sits uncomfortably with the ethos which
is at the core of a lot of Eastern arts - the sublimation of the ego .

I'm particularly interested to know how the female members of ESS feel about
this .