Most old shakuhachi made in Japan were not made to the Western pitch standard of the orchestra (A=440hz). Modern shakuhachi is made anywhere from A=440hz-444hz. So, if a flute is not tuned to what is acceptable, it is said to be “in tune with itself” (assuming that the maker drilled the holes in the right places to begin with). This means the scale of the notes (the finger holes) all respond with integrity in two octaves and in relation to the natural pitch of the shakuhachi. Well made shakuhachi, old or new, are in tune with themselves. If the average player has to adjust more than two notes across two octaves with Meri or Kari to play in tune, that shakuhachi is not considered in good tuning.
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"...I've only seen two of Perry's Tensei flutes so far, but they certainly won't be the last I'll be getting for my students. Knowing Perry's penchant for perfection, I can comfortably give his flutes my highest recommendation."- Riley Lee, Dai Shihan, Organizer of the World Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney, Australia
""I suggest that while you are in New York you contact Perry Yung, who is making excellent instruments right here in New York, and some of them are very reasonably priced. Perry is a wonderful person...You could visit him, pick a flute, and take an introductory lesson, or maybe two or three lessons before you leave New York."- Ralph Samuelson, Kinko Master New York City
"Perry Yung is a rare man to find in the Shakuhachi World today. Perry may well prove to be one of the handful of non-Japanese that can make a Shakuhachi in the traditional style - equal to the best of the Japanese makers themselves. There's just no stopping him and his talents!"- Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin, Grandmaster