August 21, 2008: *Just as with the Aug.'08 Jiari, this was an unfinished shakuhachi begun many years ago by a friend in Japan. The original utaguchi was in good shape and this was a beautifully mottled piece of Kyushu madake.

I really wanted to maintain a larger bell and keep the roots on this one, however there was a large area of decay that went a few millimeters deep, and the initial shaping was a bit rough and non-uniform--it was necessary to sand, fill and reshape. I gave just a light coat of predominantly clear lacquer over the bell to seal and protect it, as well as keep the color uniform with the natural mottling.

This was promised and destined for the original instigator of its life as a shakuhachi. As he is a veteran kinko player, I really wanted something close to home with this one. It has a larger than normal bore with great projection and tone, and very strong otsu and kan no ro's. I like it!