SHAKUHACHI

The shakuhachi (尺八) is a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. I have been studying with Clive Bell since 2015.

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.

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.

REPAIRING / RESTORING

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.

SHAKUHACHI FOR SALE

NEW Takeharu (竹治) 1.7 £1,200. 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.

NEW Shougetsu (松月) 1.9 £900. Weighs 354g, a wonderful and playful shakuhachi with a delicate and warm sound, but clear intonation and projection. Excellent for min'yo or for a C flute to have in one's bag for whenever needed. Comes with leather utaguchi cap.

SOLD Chokusui (直水) 2.3 £750. 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.

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.