Jan 17, 2006 — Yoshio Kurahashi is one of Japan's great master shakuhachi flute players. He's performed on the evocative bamboo instrument for more than 40 years and has garnered esteem and accolades from across the world. Earlier this month, Yoshio Kurahashi was a guest at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa. The embassy presented a free concert, at the National Gallery Theatre, as a New Year's gift to the community. The recital also featured Yoko Hirono Itatani on the koto, or Japanese floor harp. Lucy Martin spoke with Yoshio Kurahashi and recorded music from the concert. She asked him about the significance of New Year's in Japanese culture.