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January 31, 2007
Yung Model Jiari Shakuhachi
Hi All,
Here are some photos of a YUNG Model 1.8 Jiari Work-in-Progress.
For me, making fine shakuhachi is much like working on a fine art painting or choreographing a modern dance. It takes time for art to reveal itself.
Resting on my hako after a session of rigorous tuning.
The root in a semi-raw state. I save the cosmetics for the end. A little dirt won't hurt anyone ;-)
As it is doen in Japan, the Nakatsuki is hand fitted. The pencil lead let's me know where the high spots are. Notice the bamboo post inserted on the side to keep the male end from coming apart. Not every makers does this. I do it beciase I've seen and repared a few disembodied joints.
Very little ji in the root openning.
The top is openned just enough so there is less Ji paste there also. Ji often shrinks when drying so several thin layers are better than thick applications. There is an inlaid binding at the top to prevent cracking. There is another on at the bottom of the top piece where there will be a lot of activity from assembly and disassembly. Both with eventually be wrapped with rattan.
Waiting for the utaguchi inlay.
The finger holes are clean because they play a large part in producing the sound. I need to hear everying that;s going on when working the bore.
This one has been almost a year in the making. The acrually fabrication, utaguchi, joint and holes were all done in one day. It's the fine tuning takes a while. This is how I learned to do it in Japan for high quality shakuhachi made for master players.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 07:22 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2007
1.8s for Traditional Study Available!
Hi all. Today I have two entry level 1.8s available. These are perfect for the serious student of shakuhachi music.
This is an old two piece root end that was a hair flat. I openned up the root and finger holes to make the whole flute sharper. It now plays in tune at A = 440 hz ofr the strong player. Price $600
The utaguchi was chipped badly. I refurbished it with CA glue mixed with bamboo dust.
It's exactly like the day it was originally finished, about 50-60 years ago.
Openned root for modern tuning.
The crack is completely sealed and will not open up under normal shakuhachi care.
The Hanko of the original maker
This is one of my YUNG Student Models that was finished in Black urushi modelled after old Komuso shakuhachi.
A Kinko Style utaguchi inlay made form Water Buffalo horn
The bindings were also painted over.
This helps to seal them in and prevent slippage. Price $400
Let me know if you want to hear one, or both.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2007
Two Chikusing Shakuhachi Finished!
Every so often, I'm able to finish a Chikusing model before it is sold. Today, I was able to finish two before they were spoken for. Chikusing flutes have much more of my Spot Tuning Method to ensure a soild playing instrument that retains the classic Honkyoku sound played on Jinashi shakuhachi.
The longer one is a 3.0 at about one meter in length. The shorter is a 2.4.
The 30 has a crack across the bottom of the root bell. This was done during the harvesting and will probably never become a problem. I like to call these Liberty Bell flutes.
The 2.4 has a Sogawa style inlay made of Water Buffalo Horn. The 3.0 is left natural in the Komuso Style.
Hear an improvisation in the 3.0
Breath well in the New Year my friends, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at 11:36 PM | Comments (2)