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1.6 by Gyokusui 3TC79
2010s-2020s Myoan Maker: Kouno Gyokusui III Length: 1.6 shaku / 490mm Pitch: D#/E Price: $1,000 Hole diameter: 9.5-10mm Bore diameter @ top: approx. 19mm (ikigaeshi) Bore diameter @ bottom: 14mm Weight: 280g A unique flute made by the current Gyokusui, who has become a highly sought-after Myoan jinashi maker. Made from beautifully patterned and dense bamboo, with amazingly strong sound for such a small tube.
The bore size is deceptive; Ro in particular has a huge sound, with a nice windy wide-bore tone in Otsu. A special instrument for playing rhythmic Myoan pieces like Kumoi no Kyoku. |
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2.2 MyoanTC46
c. 2000s Myoan Maker: Unknown (Eigoro?) Length: 2.15 shaku / 529mm Pitch: Bb/B Price: $600 Hole diameter: 10.5-11mm Bore diameter @ top: approx. 23mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 19.5mm Weight: 495g A solid wider-bore modern jinashi, with good volume and a tone that's deep and expansive. Made from thick, nicely-mottled bamboo. The flute resembles Murai Eigoro's work, but it isn't stamped.
Kan no U has to be played a bit carefully, or with an alternate fingering. Bargain-priced due to this limitation. |
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2.5 by KodamaTC46
c. 2000s Myoan Maker: Kodama Hiroyuki Length: 2.52 shaku / 765mm Pitch: G# Price: $600 Hole diameter: 11mm Bore diameter @ top: 26mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 20mm Weight: 720g An extremely thick & rustic 'hocchiku' style shakuhachi that feels like it emerged straight out of the bamboo grove. Kodama's flutes are known for respecting the natural texture & appearance of his sturdy bamboo, with minimal finishing work and no inlay or interior lacquer.
The large bore and natural interior give it a beautifully subtle and deep, windy tone. The chin rest is very deeply sloped, to make playing this thick bamboo more accessible. |
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2.1 by TenshinTC63
Late 1990s or 2000s Myoan Maker: Kurumatani Kanzan (Tenshin 天真 ) Length: 2.15 shaku / 655mm Pitch: Bb Price: $3,999 Hole diameter: 12mm Bore diameter @ top: approx. 27mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 20mm Weight: 530g This stunning flute is made of thick, mottled torachiku (tiger bamboo) and was named The Snow Leopard by a previous owner. Its beauty is accentuated with a red urushi interior, a gold-lined utaguchi inlay, and inlaid bindings covered with lacquered sakura bark.
It is simply a work of art. This modern jinashi has a fairly smooth bore. With its wide bore and large holes, it has a very powerful sound. It is a challenging flute to play that demands attention and control -- but rewards you with an amazing tone. |
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2.6 by ShugetsuTC09
Late 1990s Kinko Maker: Yamaguchi Shugetsu Length: 2.6 shaku / 790mm Pitch: G Price: $2,999 Hole diameter: 12mm+ Bore diameter @ top: 22.5mm (ikigaeshi) Bore diameter @ bottom: 27mm Weight: 670g A thick, wide bore shakuhachi with significant spot tuning to improve its response. A great, booming sound and incredibly rich tone, made from a stunning piece of bamboo. This era was Shugetsu's prime making period. A flawless tube for those who want the wide-bore jinashi sound in modern western tuning.
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2.8 by ShugetsuTC40
Late 1990s Kinko Maker: Yamaguchi Shugetsu Length: 2.8 shaku / 850mm Pitch: F# Price: $3,499 Hole diameter: 12mm+ Bore diameter @ top: 22.5mm (ikigaeshi) Bore diameter @ bottom: 24mm A surprisingly easy blower for such a large tube, with the volume and great tone you'd expect from this maker. This is a pure jinashi flute which is very light for its length. Made from beautifully mottled bamboo.
Some consider Shugetsu to be the greatest living jinashi maker. Another outstanding tube for those who seek an expansive jinashi sound with modern western tuning. |
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Kyotaku by Tilo BurdachTC06
2000s Kyotaku Maker: Tilo Burdach Length: 2.475 shaku / 750mm Pitch: Ab Price: $700 Hole diameter: 12+mm Bore diameter @ top: 30mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 24mm Weight: 340g This super wide bore practice-grade flute was designed for contemporary students of Nishimura Koku's kyotaku style of playing. One hanko.
Top flute shown in these images. |
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2.0 by RankuTC22
2010s Myoan Maker: Ranku Length: 1.98 shaku / 595mm Pitch: C Price: $900 Hole diameter: 11mm Bore diameter @ top: 25 - 26mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 21.5mm Weight: 360g Ranku is a contemporary maker of traditionally-tuned jinashi shakuhachi. The wide bore and remaining nodes give this flute a powerful yet haunting, hollow sound.
Kan no U is challenged on this otherwise beautiful instrument, so it's offered at a deep discount compared to Ranku's typical premium prices. |
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Mujitsu 1.6TC26
1990s Kinko-ryu Maker: Ken Lacosse (Mujitsu/Taimu) Length: 1.61 shaku / 490mm Pitch: D#/E Price: $999.99 Hole diameter: 10.5 - 11mm Bore diameter @ top: 21mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 18mm Weight: 320g Made from vintage Japanese Madake, this is a fine example of Ken’s early work. This wide-bore 1.6 can take a strong breath. It plays with strong projection, balanced tuning, and a powerful sound.
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2.4 jinashi by Gyokusui 1 - owned by Riley LeeTC70
Mid-20th C Kinko Maker: Kono Gyokusui 1 Length: 2.4 shaku / 750mm Pitch: A Price: $5,000 Weight: 460g This profoundly deep 2.4, made by the patriarch of the Gyokusui shakuhachi dynasty, is simply unparalleled.
It was originally purchased by the famous player Riley Lee in 1970 and used by him for decades in performance and recording. One Gyokusui hanko and two of Riley’s Sensei Chikuho Sakai. |
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Myoan 2.0TC34
2000s Myoan Maker: Unknown Length: 2.05 shaku / 621mm Pitch: Price: $800 Hole diameter: 10mm Bore diameter @ top: 24mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 18.5mm Weight: 320g This wide-bore 2.0 is made for Myoan style honkyoku playing. It can take a big breath and rewards you with a classic hollow bamboo tone. The thick, stocky bamboo has two snow cracks, which appear while the plant is growing, that have been filled-in by the maker using ji paste.
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1.8 TozanTC82
Late 1990s or 2000s Tozan-ryu Maker: Taizan(?) Length: 1.75 shaku / 529mm Pitch: D Price: $600 (ON AUDITION) Hole diameter: 11mm Bore diameter @ top: approx. 21mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 18mm Weight: 295g An excellent main jinashi for contemporary playing or modern study. The slightly wide bore and shorter length mean that it's in perfect modern D tuning while still providing a deep tone for honkyoku.
Thick & handsome mottled bamboo, with a wabi-sabi sideways leaning root. This flute also carries Perry Yung's hanko, and may have been reworked by him. |
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2.3 by ShomeiTC01
2000s Myoan Maker: Shomei Length: 2.3 shaku / 700mm Pitch: A Price: $3,000 (SOLD) Hole diameter: 11.5-12mm Bore diameter @ top: ~28mm (23mm kanjiri) Bore diameter @ bottom: 20.5mm Weight: 560g A stunning mid-sized chokan by this highly respected contemporary maker. A dark, rich and velvety tone is complemented by thick, beautifully mottled bamboo.
Every piece of Shomei's work is unique, but this tube is among his best. |
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Mujitsu 2.1TC10
Late 1990s/early 2000s Maker: Ken Lacosse (Mujitsu/Taimu) Length: 2.1 shaku / 730mm Pitch: flat of C Price: $1,500 (SOLD) Hole diameter: 11mm Bore diameter @ top: 22mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 28mm Weight: A well-balanced jinashi for modern honkyoku and melodic playing. This outstanding piece of bamboo has a perfectly-proportioned, highly-polished root.
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Kyotaku #2 by Tilo BurdachTC07
2000s Kyotaku Maker: Tilo Burdach Length: 2.4 shaku / 730mm Pitch: Ab Price: $400 (SOLD) Hole diameter: 10mm Bore diameter @ top: 28mm Bore diameter @ bottom: 23mm Weight: 450g This super wide bore practice-grade flute was designed for contemporary students of Nishimura Koku's kyotaku style of playing.
Lower flute in these photos. |
