Back in the shop for a week and was able to get a lot of work done. Actually, I am working from my in-law’s in Rhode Island where I have a shop set up. Even though we had an epic five-week family trip in California, summer is still in full swing here. There’s still another month before the kids go back to school and instead of being stuck in a New York City apartment, it’s much nicer to work on flutes between backyard BBQs and art and crafts lessons. The thing about being around children is that they remind you of what having fun is all about. As adults, it’s easy to get lost in what we are doing and even believe that what we are doing is fun. But, children will always remind you that it’s important to laugh (and to do it often). I don’t usually get a lot of work done in the summer time as we’re usually traveling, (but who’s complaining) however, this week was quite busy. Quite a few orders and repairs came in while I was out so I needed to focus. I had to finish a small order of Earth Model flutes and I’m am thankful to those who choose to wait for a flute as I know there are many options available for today’s shakuhachi shopper.

There’s some links to my friends and supporters coming up so read on!

Those who opted to wait will get my lifetime of support and service. A deep bow.

I was also finishing up a 2.6 Choukan (bass flute) for a recent order . We decided to coat the bore with urushi lacquer so that the owner would not have to worry about mold in the bore. Urushi lacquer is the traditional lacquer used by traditional Japanese craftsmen for furniture, bowls and instruments (among other things). It is the strongest organic lacquer and only true lacquer in the world. Using urushi is a craft and art form that requires diligent and rigorous understanding for safe and artistic usage. Needless to say, this all takes time (as with anything done traditionally). There are alternatives but none as interesting or satisfying as urushi for me when making traditional shakuhachi So, it comes down to weighing out what’s important - maintaining a traditional style of crafting or making something more affordable (since time = money). In this case, the materials also matter - organic vs synthetics. Erin over at A Shakuhachi Journey has a blog entry on mold in shakuhachi: http://ashakuhachijourney.blogspot.com/2011/05/tea-tree-oil.html Be forewarned as the photo you will see once you click is not a pretty sight.

I had started this 3.0 length Choukan before we left town. It had a warm inviting, natural voice that stayed with me the entire time we we’re in California so I couldn’t wait to get it in my hands again. It’s exactly as I remembered it, I couldn’t put it down. Every little tweak continues to reveal a sublime voice.  So far, the tuning is only done by removal. This one will be available soon. As with most of my instruments, it probably won’t make it to the Shop page. This one is pitched in E. It is made from Chinese Madake bamboo specially harvested for me in Zhejiang, China in 2002 so it’s been properly cured before the crafting process. It’s priced at $1100 as an all natural Hocchiku style instrument and $2200 as an upgraded Chikusing Model - jinashi style flute with my Spot Tuning Method, Shuai urushi lacquered bore and Sogawa style utaguchi inlay [horn or reclaimed ivory]).

On the repairs department,  There is an old Edo Period 1.7 that needed some serious loving. Someone painted some thick synthetic red lacquer on top to mask a not so crafty utaguchi inlay. They also painted into the bore and shrunk it so that needs to be cleaned out.

This one belongs to Myoan player and teacher Dean Seicho Delbene at: http://myoanshakuhachi.blogspot.com/
The black lacquered flute is beautiful. It’s a 1.9 with a narrow bore so it plays around C. The Maki-e work is breathtaking. This one had a deteriorating binding so that needs to be cleaned out, refilled and re lacquered. This kind of work is meticulous. It will take about three weeks along with the curing time.Thanks to my friends for allowing me the pleasure of working on these fine instruments.

In the mail is a flute from a student of Michael Chikuzen Gould. I want to give a special shout out to Chikuzen as his students always say “Michael sent me…”. If you don’t know about Michael, visit his site here: http://www.chikuzenstudios.com/

I also receive a lot of repairs from Ronnie Nyogetsu seldin’s students. A few month ago, one of Ronnie’s students came to me with a damaged flute and said “Ronnie says you’re the best”. I owe Ronnie a lot. See Nyogetsu’s website here: http://www.nyogetsu.com/

I am not only thankful for the support I have from these teachers, I am thankful for the entire shakuhachi community - students and teachers, young and old. Because of you, I am able to enjoy my work, my art…my life. Domo arigato gozaimasu (Thank you very much)

Oops, I think I hear an ice cream truck coming. Gotta go.

A deep bow,
Perry