$800 (Sold)

September 20 , 2008: * This was an unfinished shakuhachi begun 15+ years ago by a friend in Japan. It was quite rough, with partial ji applied, holes filled and re-drilled 2 or more times, very rough exterior, etc.

I first filled and re-drilled the original, oversized finger holes. The ji application and bore work was done over the past year or so. All along, I had the intent of giving this a full black lacquer exterior, partially to cover up the hole movements, large kinko utaguchi and exterior repairs, and partially because I have always wanted an all black shakuhachi. Last month I had technically finished it, leaving it a deep brown instead of black (as you may have seen on this site), but I opted to finish my initial thought and take it all the way to jet black. Ah... much better... it was nagging at me a bit.

I added the nakatsugi rattan after the previous brown exterior finish, which was inlaid flush with the exterior for a smoother look and feel. The hanko is stamped on the original bamboo, and was not touched during all of the exterior lacquer--that was tough, but the only way I could keep it visible, plus I thought it looked nice (like a window to the soul). I really like the way this one turned out. It is a rich and wonderfully tonal shakuhachi. Great response, sweet kan, meri's are effortless and full of body.

:)