SHAKUHACHI

The shakuhachi (尺八) is a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. I started studying shakuhachi in 2014 with Clive Bell and I am currently studying with Kakizakai Kaoru and Riley Lee.

I am fascinated by the aesthetic in traditional shakuhachi music, which invites "non-musical" sounds into its palette and plays with the relationship between the controlled and that which is at the edges of or beyond control; the human and the more-than-human. I love the richness of sound produced by its simple construction, how every instrument is unique and every note blown a collaboration between performer, instrument, and place.

I play honkyoku, old traditional solo shakuhachi repertoire from Zen monasteries, as well as min'yo (folk music). I enjoy long, unhurried plays. I improvise on shakuhachi and electronics with a portable setup which I take outdoors, and I love collaborating with other artists, discovering new sides to the shakuhachi.

ink painting of a shakuhachi

TEACHING

If you are interested in learning the shakuhachi or are at the early stages of your journey, get in touch and I would be happy to have a chat. I am happy to give you advice on where to purchase your first instrument, what to look out for, differences between materials and so on. The first lesson is free and I offer lessons either in person in London or online via zoom. I can also lend you a shakuhachi flute for your lesson. If you have any questions about purchasing a first shakuhachi, feel free to get in touch - I am happy to share advice and opinions on the available options even if you don't have lessons with me, as it can be unclear knowing whether to go for plastic or bamboo, what to look out for and so on.

SHAKUHACHI FOR SALE

I occasionally acquire used flutes and work to restore and improve them. I have many years of carpentry experience and take a huge amount of care not to undo any of the masterful work of the shakuhachi maker and only to repair damage or make adjustments. Below you can see the flutes I currently have for sale with a short description. For more photos, additional measurements, or recordings of specific sounds or fingerings, simply message me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

All flutes come in a plastic bag but no additional accessories unless otherwise mentioned, and I have a stock of cases, bags, and caps available to buy. Payments are via my paypal shop and I have shipped shakuhachi to the UK and internationally and take care to package the flutes accordingly.


AVAILABLE SHAKUHACHI

to-sui 1.8 shakuhachi for sale

NEW 1.8 To-sui (都水) in D - £800. Weighs 492g. A professional, well-rounded instrument with excellent intonation and projection and a very powerful Ro. This instrument has been professionally restored and finetuned by Monty Levenson. One crack stabilised with inlaid rattan. Plays so easily across all octaves, has a good weight to it, and projects well. Perfect curvature and node alignment, has a silver joint and tozan utaguchi. Comes with black leather utaguchi cap. [ Recordings & photos ]

chikusen 2.1 shakuhachi for sale

NEW 2.1 Chikusen Tamai (竹仙) in B - £1100. Weighs 491g. A serious, professional instrument, masterfully repaired and fine-tuned by Monty Levenson. Rich, well-rounded sound, perfectly in-tune and fully resonating across the octaves. It is an effortless instrument that will impress. It is extremely responsive and a joy to play. Silver joint with rattan bindings, tozan utaguchi, all cracks fully stabilised and bound with inlaid rattan bindings. Comes with silk utaguchi cap. [ Recordings & photos ]

takeharu 1.7 shakuhachi for sale

NEW 1.7 Takeharu (竹治) in Eb - £800. Weighs 355g. Sharp, clear, articulate sounds. Does everything a shakuhachi needs to do and can play all genres with equal depth - dai-kan register is a effortless and in tune. It is extremely responsive and a joy to play. Silver joint, kinko utaguchi. Comes with leather utaguchi cap. [ Recordings & photos ]

shougetsu 1.9 shakuhachi for sale

NEW 1.9 Shougetsu (松月) in C# - £450. Weighs 354g, a wonderful and playful shakuhachi with a warm, woody sound, but clear intonation and projection. Otsu register not as bright as in more modern jiari, but is still a solid instrument and would be excellent for min'yo or for a change of scenery when playing honkyoku. [ Recordings & photos ]

takeharu 1.8 shakuhachi for sale

SOLD 1.8 Takeharu (竹治) in D - £500. Weighs 294g. Clear, responsive, articulate flute with a strong Ro. A bit on the smaller side and fairly light, would suit people with smaller embouchure. Ticks all the right boxes, but no more - a good instrument for beginner/advanced students or as a reliable travel / spare. Sterling silver joint, kinko utaguchi. Comes with black leather utaguchi cap. [ Recordings & photos ]

chokusui shakuhachi 2.3 front

SOLD Chokusui (直水) 2.3, a thinner shakuhachi in the kezuriné style (shaved roots). At 370g it is surprisingly responsive with open holes; meri notes are less stable, this flute is less suitable for contemporary works and more suitable for jinashi-style playing. A curious creation by a master maker. Comes with leather utaguchi cap.

shouzan shakuhachi 2.2 front

SOLD Shouzan (昌山) 2.2, tuned at 442hz. A robust, masterfully made shakuhachi which plays comfortably and confidently across all octaves. Strong focus, perfectly in tune. A bit on the chunky side at 455g, but a force to be reckoned with.