The term "Komusō" refers to a group of Zen Buddhist monks in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868). They were known for their distinctive practice of playing the shakuhachi, a traditional bamboo flute, as a form of meditation and spiritual expression. The sound of the shakuhachi was believed to help achieve a state of mindfulness and connect with the divine. Komusō monks often wore a unique straw hat called a tokin, which obscured their faces and symbolized their detachment from the material world. They traveled throughout Japan, performing music and seeking alms, while also promoting the teachings of Zen Buddhism. Their practices contributed to the cultural landscape of Japan during this time.