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 komusō wore a unique straw hat called a tokin, which symbolized their status and allowed them to remain anonymous while wandering. Komusō monks were often itinerant, traveling from place to place and relying on alms for their sustenance. Their music was not only a meditative practice but also served as a means of communicating with the world around them. The legacy of the komusō continues to influence Japanese music and Zen practices today.