1950s Chikusen Tamai and Modern Wooden Shakuhachi

This video compares a traditional Japanese Bamboo shakuhachi made in Chikusen Tamai's shop around the 1950's with a contemporary Wooden shakuhachi. Beginners' will not notice the difference in feel and sound as both are very responsive instrument. Experienced players, however, can feel and manipulate the tonal characteristic more with the Chikusen flute.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Shakuhachi
• bamboo
• flute
• Japanese
• music
• art
• craft

[mlavik1]

Is the wooden shakuhachi easier or more difficult to start on?

Thanks for making helpful videos!

[yungflutes]

A wooden shakuhachi can be easier than a modern bamboo shakuhachi because the wooden flutes are standardized. The bamboo flutes are each handmade, not standardized so it's up to the maker to make it play easily or not. A difficult shakuhachi can be a great one.

[paramsaram]

you're an awesome person, like a master!

please make more and more videos to teach us

how to play the shakuhachis. thank you!

[yungflutes]

Thanks for your kinds words. I just love playing and making the shakuhachi and I'm very happy that I have a place where I can share my love. I'll try to make some videos on playing techniques, but really that is something one should sit in front of a master for.

Thanks again!

[mlavik1]

Oh, ok thank you ver much. I will consider buying a wooden one, sooner or later.

[C0FFEKAT]

Your great really love watching a listening

[zaitaiwan]

According to John Neptune, it really doesn't matter what the material is. He has made flutes out of ceramic and other materials and asked people in his seminars to close their eyes and tell him which flute was the bamboo one - and they couldn't tell the difference. When asked why he makes flutes out of bamboo when the material makes no difference he said, "Simple - I just love bamboo!"

By the way, David Brown the Australian shak maker creates some very nice shaks out of hardwoods.

[chrisfield555]

Oh GOSH thankyou so very much for this video!

I am currently deciding on a shakuhachi and am wondering whether to buy the more expensive bamboo or the wood, but have the exact dilemma that you mention! Besides the fact that I live in Australia where, apparently, the dryer atmosphere acts adversely on the bamboo anyway