Steps in Crafting Shakuhachi



JINASHI SHAKUHACHI MAKING STEPS:

  1. Take Tori (Bamboo Harvesting)
  2. Abura Nuki (Moisture extraction)
  3. Chikuzai Erabu (choosing the bamboo)
  4. Tame no Sagyo (bamboo bending)
  5. Fushi Nuki (node perforation)
  6. Nekko no Yasurigake (root end formation)
  7. Kanjiri/ago giri (forming the the ends)
  8. Zetsumen Kezuru (formation of chin rest)
  9. Teana akeru (hole drilling)
  10. Choritsu (tuning)
  11. Binding

If you’re interested in having Alcvin craft a jnashi shakuhachi flute for you, please email him at: ryu.zen18@gmail.com. Please specify prefered length, bore diameter, pitch, etc.


JIARI SHAKUHACHI MAKING STEPS:

  1. Chikuzai Erabu: Choosing the bamboo
  2. Warming bamboo; heat preparation
  3. Tame no sagyo: straightening bamboo
  4. Forming the flute shape
  5. Kanjiri kiri: cutting off the end
  6. Nakatsugi-kiri: separating the shaft in two
  7. Gekan fushi nuki: opening the flute by removing the fushi joints
  8. Hozo hori: mortise joint, connecting insert preparation
  9. Ware maki: anti-crack reinforcement binding
  10. Hozo ire: installment of tenon, connecting piece
  11. Setchaku: bonding of hozo to shakuhachi
  12. Hozo (connector) installation
  13. Te-ana shirushi tsuke; marking position of finger holes
  14. Opening of te ana, finger holes
  15. Zetsumen giri: mouthpiece shaping cut
  16. Ago ake: shaping chin piece
  17. Utaguchi hori: mouthpiece insert preparation
  18. Utaguchi ire: installation of mouthpiece insert
  19. 3 types of mouthpieces: Fuke, Kinko, Tozan
  1. Utaguchi installation
  2. Naka kesuri: honing the flute shaft
  3. Seshime: natural, strengthening lacquer applied inside flute
  4. Ji-oki: application of putty
  5. Naka tori: honing of flute internals
  6. Guage test: flute internal check
  7. Choritsu: tuning
  8. Naka nuri and uwa nuri: application of lacquer
  9. Muro kawaki: moisture holding lacquer drying box
  10. Migaki: polishing with an uzukuri brush
  11. Fuki urushi: a lacquer application and removal
  12. Nakatsugi: ornamental gold of silver-lined brass ring to protect and secure connecting piece
  13. Wakka: the brass ring is polished for strong seal
  14. Tou-maki: securing of nakatsugi by widening rattan around brass ring
  15. Shi-age: final applications of lacquer
  16. Yaki-in: branding with maker’s hanko
  17. Kabu-mikagi: final polishing of the stock root end
  18. Kanseihin: finished shakuhachi