We always like to encourage friends and visitors who stop by Japundit to relax, look around, and enjoy all the information we offer about Japan. This is just a reminder that in addition to our coverage of current events, we think you’ll also be delighted by our extensive collection of links on the left of the page that will take you on serendipitous journeys into the multitudinous and variegated aspects of Japanese life and culture.

Today’s website additions are a great way to explore Japan’s elegant artistic pursuits. The first is a comprehensive page on the shakuhachi, or wooden bamboo flute, presented by the International Shakuhachi Society. If you want to study the history of the instrument, learn how to play, or listen to some music on-line, this is the place to go.

Another musical pursuit every bit as elegant as the first is the koto, and this excellent site is where you can find out more about this instrument and its music. One of the surprising discoveries awaiting you is that the koto is not used exclusively for older, classical music—composers are continually creating contemporary pieces, some of which are quite adventuresome.

Finally, this site features profiles and examples of the work of 10 haiku poets, including Basho. It’s fascinating how a form of poetry that consists of just 17 syllables can capture the ineffable. Try some of the poems on this page to see how it’s done. This is the English site, but there are links on the page to the Japanese and French sites put together by the same person.

If the crass commercialism of the day is dulling your artistic sensibilities, any or all three of these sites will be sure to wipe off the grime.