Schedule
Below you can download the current schedule (v9). As we are approaching the start of the ESS Athens 2026 Summer School, we do not expect the schedule to change significantly anymore, but there may be nevertheless some small adjustments in timings or content. Updates will be published here roughly every two weeks in case there are changes. So do check back occasionally.
Also, there will always be annoucements in the morning at the Summer School itself about changes if needed, and there will be a current schedule on display at the venue.
Below you also find a list of all the pieces taught at Athens 2026 as well as all the other workshop activities. We are very excited about this anniversary programme! We believe it offers a great variety to discover numerous style, schools and shakuhachi practices, and also we have programmed some pieces of the same title/base presented by different schools to provide an opportunity to explore the array of differences in e.g. interpretation and ornamentation by lineage and their transmission.
Published on 30 March 2026
List of all Summer School Pieces & Activities
Akita Sugagaki (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
Taki-otoshi (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
Yūgure no Kyoku (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
Hifumi Hachigaeshi (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
Shika no Tōne (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
Shin Kyorei (Kinko-ryū Chikumeisha honkyoku)
+
Kurokami (with shamisen/sōkyoku)
Hototogisu (with koto) (Yamada-ryū sōkyoku)
Yuki (with shamisen/sōkyoku)
Haru no Yo by Miyagi Michio (with koto)
+
Shirabe • Sagariha (Nezasaha)
Mukaiji (Fudaiji)
Daiwagaku (Jin Nyodo, 1941)
Murasaki Reibo (Kyoto Myoanji Temple)
Kumoi jishi (Itchoken)
Matsukaze (Nezasaha)
Kokuu (Fudaiji)
Nagashi Reibo (Nezasaha)
San’ya (Echigo Myoanji Temple)
Mujushin Kyoku (Jin Nyodo, 1937)
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Yamato Chōshi (Chikuho honkyoku)
Hokyō Kokū (Chikuho honkyoku
+
Shika No Tōne (Myoan honkyoku)
+
Echigo Sanya (Zensabo honkyoku)
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Heiwa no Sanga (Shin-Tozan-ryū)
Fuji (Shin-Tozan-ryū)
Asa Kaze (Shin-Tozan-ryū)
Seikeiha (Shin-Tozan-ryū)
+
Honshirabe (KSK honkyoku)
Shika No Tōne (KSK honkyoku)
Tsuru no Sugomori (KSK honkyoku)
Ukigumo (KSK honkyoku)
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DeVagues et d’Elans (Contemporary)
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Nihon Minyô ni yoru (Seki Ichiro)
Nantou Tansai no Fu (Fukushima Yûjirō)
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Natsu no Yama-uta (Min’yō)
Shin Sôma Bushi (Min’yō)
Mamorugawa Ondô (Min’yō)
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Triantafyllia (Greek Theme)
Byzantine Hymn (Greek Theme)
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Shakuhachi & Electronics
Technique Tips
Improvisation
Improvisation & Image
Movie Themes
Anime/Naruto
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Jiari shakuhachi making (Kinko utaguchi)
+
Individual lesson slots available
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Relaxation Room
+
Irish Music on shakuhachi (Talk/Lecture/Demonstration)
Ueda-ryū (Talk/Lecture/Demonstration)
more Talk/Lecture tba
+
Trade Room (ESS Shop)
+
ro-buki
Concerts
As usually the 2026 ESS Summer School will have concerts by the invited teachers and also performance options for the participants, e.g. the Open Mic Concerts during the event and the Participants’ Concert on the last day.
Being a special year we will have an Opening Gala Concert at the Japanese Embassy in Athens.
23 July 2026
20th Anniversary ESS 2006-2026
The Opening Gala Concert –
20th Anniversary ESS 2006-2026
Special Gala Opening Concert at the Japanese Embassy in Athens marking 20 years of Summer School and shakuhachi activities. This concert include performances by teachers from the Summer School. Details of the programme will be announced nearer the time.
Location: Japanese Embassy in Athens
Eth. Antistaseos 46, Chalandri 152 31, Greece
Programme: tba
24 July 2026
20th Anniversary ESS Concert at Parnassos Hall:
Silence to Sound
Japanese Music for shakuhachi, koto & shamisen
Mixed programme with focus on traditional repertoire
The invited teachers of the Summer School perform. Details of the programme will be announced in due time.
Location: Parnassos Literary Society, Centrall Hall
Pl. Agiou Georgiou Karitsi 8, Athina 105 61, Greece
Programme: tba
25 July 2026
20th Anniversary ESS Concert at Parnassos Hall:
Sound to Silence
Japanese Music for shakuhachi, koto & shamisen
Mixed programme with focus on modern &
contemporary repertoire
The invited teachers of the Summer School perform. Details of the programme will be announced in due time.
Location: Parnassos Literary Society, Centrall Hall
Pl. Agiou Georgiou Karitsi 8, Athina 105 61, Greece
Programme: tba
23-26 July 2026
Bamboo, Bowls & Bells I-IV
Open Mic Concert
This participants’ concert has an open programme and reflects our community and its diversity. There will be four open mic lunch time slots this time.
Location: New York College
Kalithea, 177 78, Thessalonikis 286, Tavros 177 78, Greece
Programme: tba
26 July 2026
Participants’ Concert
After four days of intense study, on the last afternoon of the Summer School, we all meet and share our new skills and experiences we gathered from the workshops and lessons.
Location: New York College
Kalithea, 177 78, Thessalonikis 286, Tavros 177 78, Greece
Programme: tba
