$1,200 (Sold)

September 19, 2008: Finally! After lurking around for almost 5 years, "Old Smokey" is done!

24K gold-lined Tozan utaguchi (as adorns the splash page of this site), 1.5 rin rattan nakatsugi joint, lightweight with modest urushi ji, black lacquer. I began this shakuhachi in 2003 and had 2 stainless steel joint rings custom plated with 24K gold to accompany the inlay bordering. While working on the center joint in Japan, 2004 (see pics here), I decided to abort the rings and go with the more traditional rattan binding only (1.5 rin rattan, over the inlayed structural bindings). I do like the beauty and simplicity of this flute without the metal rings, plus it was a process being shown to me at the time, on this instrument.

The bamboo is just a couple millimeters below the average diameter, and a softer, sweeter tone lent itself well. Surprisingly, that's what I got! Sweet and subtle, very tonal, a wonderful instrument! Plays slightly above D at A448.