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       Japanese Rootend Shakuhachi Flute

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Koku Nisimura, Kumuso Monk 1915-2002

                        These classical Japanese  rootend shakuhachi are imported and restored by me.
  I am told that most of these flutes( though not all ) are between 40 and 80 years old. I dont know the history of these flutes and am only going on the age estimate of those I buy them from .
            They come to me in various states . Some with cracks, some with a missing or chipped utaguchi ( inlayed blowing edge ), some with bore damage. Others play fine as they are and  require  little or no repair.
                   These flutes ( execpt the wooden ones) are made from Japanese madake bamboo which is renowned for making the worlds finest shakuhachis. Because of the increase in worldwide demand for quality shakuhachi,  suitable culms  of madake bamboo is becoming ever scarcer ( and so more expensive ) in Japan.
Each of these shakuhachis are also a unique part of Japanese history.
No two are alike, most have a scratch or indentation here or  there that they have gathered in their journey through the hands of an unknown number of players. They are now ready to begin  a new leg of that journey .
Some say shakuhachis play better the more they are played. Others  say that once a shakuhachi has cracked its tone may improve.
  Japanese madake  bamboo  as well as being famous for making the best shakuhachi is also notorious for cracking .Many high quality shakuhachi have cracked  . The crack is then closed and and the flute is bound in various places along the crack . To most experienced players the crack is not considered a defect to a high quality flute that still plays well.

If you are near the Sunshine Coast ,Qld and want to choose your own rootend flute email or phone me for appointment time. I usually have about 10 or more Japanese rootend flutes that are ready to sell.

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I do my best to accurately describe each  flute as well as providing some detailed photos. Email me if more details or photos are required.
I price the flutes on my own estimate of the value and quality of each  one.  Note that this is only my personal opinion . While there may be a general agreement amongst most skilled players as to what makes a "good"  shakuhachi, individual players can often respond quite differently to the same flute.
 I sell these flutes at what I consider to be a very good price .My aim is to  give other shakuhachi players the opportunity to play one of these rootend Japanese  flutes as another stepping stone on their  own shakuhachi journey.
I would much rather see these shakuhachis out in the world being played and appreciated then gathering dust  in my workshop cupboard.

Quality Guarantee

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Like all my flutes, these restored Japanese Shakuhachi come with a money back guarantee. If you are not happy with your flute for any reason ,send it back and your money will be fully refunded.
If you want to keep it for a week or so for it to be evaluated by someone who may know more about shakuhachis then you do , this is also fine by me.
  All the work that I do on these flutes is also guaranteed. If there is any problem with a blowing edge I have replaced or a crack I have repaired send it back and flute will be repaired at no cost to the buyer.
       More flutes will be added  to the site as they are made ready for resale so if you don't see the flute you want here now keep checking the web page for updates .
   
    All prices in Australian Dollars (AUD )
 This is usually about  25% less than US Dollar ,tho check currency converter for an accurate exchange rate ..
 Note :   For a larger view of any of the photos below just click on it.

 
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Japanese Shakuhachi JI
  Length 54.5 cm (21.5 inches )     Weight: 400 grms     Rootend : 52mm  Top: 35 mm

    A  nice two piece solid shakuhahi . Plays somewhere between a D and  C#   and  drops a little in pitch in the second octave . Can be flattened enough to play in C# fairly easily but has to be pushed up a bit to play n the key of D . A bright and responsive shakuhachi . A couple of cracks in the upper section have been sealed and bound and should be no problem in the future .
  
 $400 AUD  
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Japanese Shakuhachi J2   (SOLD )
Length 54.5 cms (21.3 inches )             Weight 440 grams            Top: 38mm    Rootend: 65mm
 Tuned to  D (1.8 )

 A  beautiful quality two piece  shakuhachi well tuned in both octaves in D ( 1.8 ) . Clear, rich tones. Relatively easy to play.  Cracks in the upper section have been sealed and bound and should be no problem in the future . Join is good snug fit . Has makers mark and is an impressive solid shakuhachi with exceptionally wide rootend . A treat to play .
$700 AUD
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Japanese Shakuhachi J3  
Length  61 cm ( 24 inches )       Weight 440 grams           Top: 38 mm   Rootend : 56 mm
      A   quality two piece shakuhachi well tuned in C (2.0)
  Very solid flute that puts out good volume in rich  tones . Very well tuned and easy to stay on pitch in both octaves ..  A very thin crack in the upper section  had been professionally sealed when I received the flute. I added a couple of more bindings to stop the crack running .  Join is a good snug fit . 
  

   $700 AUD
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  Japanese  Shakuhachi J4   
 Length 54.5 cm (  21.5 inches)     Weight 500 gm  Rootend 60 mm  Top 37mm
 A very solid jiari shakuhachi that plays smoothly and easily.
Accurately  tuned in D .(1.8)
 Small hairline crack in front has been sealed and bound.

The join remains nice and tight.  Stays well in tune in both octaves. 
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   $580 AUD 
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J5 (SOLD )
 Length 54.5cm (21.5 inches)            Weight :400 gm                     Top:  40 mm    Rootend : 50 mm
   A  solid  shakuhachi well   tuned to D ( 1.8 )  .  Join is a good snug fit . A clear , rich and bright two piece shakuhachi . Easy to play  with a smooth transition between the octaves. Has a few blemish marks but no cracks .
 

   $ 520 AUD
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Japanese Shakuhachi J6  
 (SOLD )
 Length : 54.5cms  (21.5 inches )         Weight:440 grams      Top :40mm   Rootend: 55 mm 
  A  solid shakuhachi. Very well tuned in  D. (1.8 ). Stays well  on pitch in both octaves.  Medium bore size .  The   crack in upper section  has been sealed and bound   and will be no problem in the future . 
  Join is good and snug .  A well made shakuhachi that is a treat to play and moves easily  between notes and octaves and puts out good volume as well as retaining clarity . Has makers mark but I could not identify it . 
 $520 AUD
 
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 Japanese Wooden  
Shakuhachi  J7  
Length :  64 cm ( 25  inches )            Weight : 400 grams    Top : 37mm   Rootend 55 mm
  A  well cared for two piece wooden shakuahchi well tuned to B.
 Has the accuracy of tuning and ease of playing that I have come to expect from these wooden shakuhachi . 


 

$280 AUD
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Japanese Shakuhachi J8 (Sold )
              Length : 61cm (24 inches )       Weight: 520 gm                                                                                        Top: 40 mm   Rootend: 62mm 
 A very solid  top quality shakuhachi in C (2.0).  Stays very well on pitch in both octaves .
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. Join a good snug fit . Smooth with deep rich tones and easy transfers  between the octaves
​. All cracks have been well sealed and bound . 
I would guess this would be a fairly well aged and well used shakuhachi.
May not be the prettiest flute around but it would be one of the best shakuhachi I have had the pleasure to play . Has makers mark.

 $800 AUD
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Japanese  
Shakuhachi  J9
             Length : 55 cm ( 21.5 inches)     

    Weight : 450 gm  Top : 40 mm      Rootend : 56 mm
 A two piece flute well tuned in D (1.8 )
 A solid flute that puts out good volume and clarity. Has makers hanko.  Cracks in both sections  have been sealed and bound  and should be no problem in the future. Nice copper join is a good snug fit . Stays well in pitch in both octaves . This shakuhachi has a narrow bore compared to the average shakuhachi which suits some players who prefer these flutes as they require less breath than the wider bore flutes.

$500 AUD
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J10   
Length: 54.5cm  (21 inches )          Weight: 460 grams          Top: 38 mm     Base : 55mm  
  A solid shakuhachi well  tuned in D (1.8 ). It was probably  originally made as a two piece flute but both halves have now been glued firmly together so it is now a single piece shakuahchi .   The beginnings of a crack was starting to show in  a mark in the upper middle part of the flute so I have put two bindings up there .
​  Has a silver inlay surrounding  the utaguchi and chunky solid rootend. Puts out good volume with rich vibrant sounds . .A very well made  shakuhachi .

 
 
$600 AUD

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Japanese   Shakuhachi J 11  (SOLD )
 Length 67 cm  (26.5 inches)    Weight 420 gm   Top 35 mm           Root end 50 mm
 A  beautiful long deep  shakuhachi in B (2.1 ) . Stays well in pitch in both octaves .  Rare to find one of these deeper flutes without cracks.  A well cared for shakuhachi in near original condition . Comes with utaguchi cover . Has makers mark . 

   $680
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Japanese Shakuhachi J12 (SOLD )
     Length : 79 cm (31 inches )  Weight : 620 grm  Top:40 mm  Rootend :58mm
 This a long, serious and rare shakuhachi. It is tuned somewhere between a G and an Ab   depending on how it is played and the surrounding temperature .
 It is well in tune with itself and keeps its pitch reasonably well in the different octaves.

Surprisingly easy to play considering its size with  a beautiful tone in those bass notes.
As you can see, I have restored the shakuhachi by sealing the cracks and placing many bindings on it . The cracks in the lower half of the flute very only very superficial but I  thought I had best bind them anyway. I dont think any of these cracks will be a problem in the future.  Join is a good snug fit.
​ In many years of restoring Japanese shakuhachi this is the only solid one of this length that I have found at any reasonable price . A great flute for any shakuhachi enthusiast who wants to add to their collection 

 $640 AUD
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J13  ( SOLD )
    Length: 54.5 cm (21.5 inches ) Weight:  460gm  Top: 40mm  Root end:  55 mm
 A  very solid shakuhachi in D (1.8 ). Stays well in tune in both octaves . Smooth playing . Bore is probably slightly larger than average but this is no problem. Join is good snug fit . Has makers mark in 3 places. Small hairline cracks are  starting to show on base of flute but these appear to be stable and should not be a problem in the future .Clear bright sounds .
 $500 AUD 
 
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J14 (SOLD )
                    Length: 54.5 cms  ( 21.5 inches )          Weight: 400gms                                                                                         Top 40mm  Rootend: 55mm 
A two piece shakuhachi tuned in D ( 1.8 ). A thin crack   running  down some of the  rear part of the flute has been well  sealed and bound  with five bindings on the upper half of the flute . This crack  should be no problem in the future . A solid shakuhachi staying well in tune in both octaves . Puts out impressive volume with vibrant sounds .Easy transition between notes and octaves . Has  makers mark and good solid rootend.  A layer of thick paint appears on a small part of the rear of the flute ( see  last photo) . This was on there when I bought the shakuahchi and it is unknown to me why it was put there but I have  left it as it obviously  has no effect on the sound of this  quality shakuhachi .
 Join is  snug fit 

 $ 500 AUD
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​Japanese  Shakuhachi J15  (SOLD )

                    Length: 55 cms  ( 21.5 inches )          Weight: 310gms                                                                                         Top 40 mm  Rootend: 53mm 
 A well cared for two piece shakuhachi accurately tuned in  C#(1.9 ) . 
 A simple flute with no cracks staying well in tune in both octaves . Puts out good volume and clear sounds from a medium size bore . Smooth and easy shakuhachi to play .Join fits well.
  $280AUD
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J16 ( SOLD )

                    Length: 54.5  cms  ( 21.5 inches )          Weight: 450 gms                                                                                         Top 40mm  Rootend: 53mm 
     A beautiful  very solid two piece medium bore  shakuhachi well tuned in D(1.8). Has Makers mark .     Beautiful shakuhachi to play ,clear and smooth in both octaves with an easy transition between the two .Surface crack on lower half has not gone very deep so has had no effect on the bore of this high quality flute .I have put 3 bindings on the lower half and another one on the upper hjalf where there is also asmall surface crack . Both these cracks should be no problem in the future .. Looks like it originally had a silver inlay around utaguchi but now only a small piece remains on the right side of the blowing edge .
 
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$650 AUD
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Japanese Wooden   Shakuhachi J17

               Length: 51 cm  ( 20 inches )          Weight: 350 gm                                                                                        Top 40mm  Rootend: 50 mm
 A well cared for  wooden shakuhachi   well tuned in D# (1.7) . S
tays well in tune in both octaves. Smooth and easy to play moving easily  between the octaves . Wooden join is good tight fit . 
 $240 AUD
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Japanese  Shakuhachi J18 ( SOLD )
  Length: 60.5cm ( 23.8 inch)    Weight: 430gm     Rootend: 46mm     Top:38mm
 A high quality two piece shakuhachi well tuned in C (2.0). Beautiful flute to play . Rare to find a longer flute in such prime condition . Puts out rich full sounds  . I have adjusted the rear hole to bring into correct pitch with the rest of the flute which now plays all the C scale notes accurately . Stays well in pitch in both octaves . I have no doubt the buyer will be very happy with this shakuhachi .
  $640