Crafted with passion and precision for the most enjoyable experience of playing shakuhachi flute. Personally crafted using excellent madake from Japan and the Sunshine Coast of BC, Canada. and elite quality amber from Chiapas, Mexico.

With nearly 30 years of experience in playing, making, and study of traditional suizen pieces, each flute is created with the spirit of meditation, love, and the harmony of nature.

I’ve spent the last 20 years honing my flute-making that empowers and sparks joy. Flutes come from my workshop with a story that continues to be written by you, the player, as you embark on your own journey through life.

I place little value on comparisons like faster or cheaper. I believe in people and place over profit, and experiences over stuff. My business is about meaningful relationships, mutual respect, treasured objects, and having fun while doing what we love.

I cherish the human story of working with materials that come from the earth. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be on this earth and be myself. It’s my hope that the things I make inspire you to do the same.

If you’re interested in having one of my flutes, please send an email to: ryu.zen18@gmail.com to discuss what you want in your flute. Please allow a month for the creation of your shakuhachi. 

I make shakuhachi flutes of all sizes. D-kan (flutes tuned to the key of D) which is normally understood as the 1.8 length.  This is the size most students start out with. Each D-kan is US$1600.00. The availability of this length of bamboo is very limited, so please inquire about availability before ordering. Other lengths are available upon request.

Warning: I do use urushi in the bore so, please be aware as some people are very sensitive and may react to this type of natural lacquer. The good news is that it does eventually cure over time and will lose its reactive nature. You can read more about urushi in my Shakuhachi Maintenance page. 

To find a pure jinashi shakuhachi that is perfectly, dynamically balanced is very rare. Most flutes need slight adjustments to the bore which I achieve by using small points of filler made of bamboo dust and glue and/or epoxy paste. Epoxy is 100% safe once fully cured.

Prices:

1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2………..US$1600.00

2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6………………US$1800.00

2.7 and up…………………….US$2000.00

 

About the Amber Utaguchi

The material I use for my utaguchi inlays are made of authentic amber from Chiapas, Mexico. Amber in these areas has a long historical use as a magical and medicinal/healing substance. The utaguchi is the area of the flute which produces sound and it is in direct contact with the breath, therefore it’s vibration is literally creating a sonic world. Amber helps lift the heaviness of one’s burdens, allowing happiness to infuse one’s being. Amber absorbs and diffuses impurities of the body and spirit. The natural golden color is a reflection of energizing solar glow,  and is associated with the Buddha Ratnasambhava (Hosho Nyorai), as well as Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Sun Buddha, who helps to remove poverty by reminding us of our inherent richness and wealth.

About Amber:

Krystyna Witlulsky wrote:
“Buoyant and luminous, unlike any other stone, this fossilized tree resin that varies from shades of honey, butterscotch, green and deep, dark cherry carries an ancient tradition unlocking secrets of earliest culture. Baltic amber, familiar to the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Mesopotamian society, has remained recognized as pertinent in this modern age, not only for its unique brilliance, but for its healing properties as well. The Greeks were awed by the smooth, solidified resin and spread the myth that it came from the tears of a nymph as they fell into the water. Effects made from amber were found entombed with the mummified remains of the young Egyptian King Tutankhamen in 1400 B.C.

The ancient Greek word for amber is elektron, which translates into “originating from the sun.” Amber gained this nomenclature, perhaps because Greeks were the first to describe the unusual electrostatic properties of amber. Rub two pieces of amber together briskly, and it produces enough electrostatic charge to pick up a piece of paper. The root of this Greek word is still used today when we describe our modern source of energy, electricity.

The ancient Romans also cherished Amber jewelry. However, only the affluent possessed such decorative articles, amulets and dice. Roman trade expeditions were made to the Baltic Sea to fill the demand for this precious resin. Proof that this trade took place lies in the over 70,000 Roman coins discovered in what is now present-day Poland.

The Metaphysical Uses of Baltic Amber heightens creativity and helps us to accept change. It’s excellent at removing self-imposed obstacles, replacing them with self confidence and a positive attitude. It counteracts depression and suicidal thoughts. Amber is great at lifting the heaviness of burdens — allowing happiness to come through, also absorbs impurities.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Amber has been treasured since time immemorial. The golden color is associated with the Buddha Ratnasambhava, who helps to remove poverty reminding us of our inherent richness and wealth.

The astrological signs of Leo and Aquarius are assigned to amber, which vibrates to the number three. It is dedicated to the connection of the conscious self to universal perfection. It both opens the crown chakra and stimulates the intellect.

Amber assists in manifestation, bringing one’s heart’s desires into reality. It has strong connections to the earth and thus is grounding for higher energies. It is excellent at cleaning the environment as well the chakras, the body’s seven energy centers.

Ancient tradition tells us that amber epitomized the very essence of the universal life force. In today’s modern age where the pharmaceutical industry seems to have formed an alliance with medical practitioners to treat symptoms instead of the root cause, amber still presents a simple, yet tremendously beneficial tool, to help the body help itself. There is no question that amber originates from natural living trees millions of years ago and holds that life blood within it that we may reap life from its essence today.”

 

 

Listen to this flute 

Listen to this flute