Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi For Sale
Hitoyogiri Models
Hitoyogiri are made to order, and come in three models: the Bushi, the Shijin, and the Ikkyu. I also offer a professional quality resin model for those who want a good flute to get started on, especially suited for learning.
These fascinating little flutes contain the roots and essence of the depth and simplicity that led to the later development of the Fuke shakuhachi during the Edo era. Infused with Taoist and Buddhist (Zen and Pure Land) philosophy, the instrument's classical repertoire was used by monks, blind monk-musicians, and samurai as a sort of meditative life practice (rather than a tool for musical entertainment). I would encourage anyone interested in learning the hitoyogiri for its own sake, or for the sake of adding depth to their shakuhachi practice, to join my hitoyogiri classes. To sign up, please visit the lessons page.
武士 Bushi - "Samurai"
This hitoyogiri is done in a style that was popular with the Samurai (also known as Bushi), who enjoyed hitoyogiri playing as a pastime both during and prior to the Edo era. Many hitoyogiri classical pieces were written by samurai, with Shukin being attributed to a sword repairman.
The flute begins with a carefuly selected one-node cut of antique susudake, an increasingly rare type of bamboo that's been cured over the charcoal pit of traditional Japanese homes, giving it its deep, earthy brown tone. Crafting and tuning the flute is a process that generally spans several months; first, strong bindings of cord are inlaid in eight or more locations along the flute to prevent cracking, and then overlaid with ratan bindings which are fixed in the traditional way, using an ancient glue made from rice and urushi to provide additional strength and beauty to the flute. The bore can be left bare or be given a thin coat of urushi for extra protection. Finally, each flute is named. The name is based on the flute's personality, as well as yours if you like, and is written in characters taken from ancient texts. Each character is first hand-etched into the bamboo for durability, then carefully built up in several micro-thin layers of urushi. Finally, the characters are covered in pure gold powder, and polished to a shine. The flute pictured here is named Ho-soku, or breath of the phoenix.
When placing an order, a deposit of $100 will be charged; after that, I'll contact you to confirm the details of your flute and give an estimate for how long it will take (generally 3 to 6 months). The remainder is due upon completion.
- Materials: Susudake, Urushi, Ratan, 22~24kt. Gold.
- Price: $2000.00 USD
- Available in Oshiki (standard length), as well as Doyo, Hyojo, Banshiki, and Sojo sizes.
詩人 Shijin - "Poet" urushi-nuri hitoyogiri
Classical hitoyogiri pieces are like short haiku, little poems that say much with few sounds. Ikkyu as well was quite the poet himself, as were many others who played this little flute. Of the handful of ancient hitoyogiri still in existence, those coated with urushi and decorated with maki-e are often the most well-preserved.
This flute begins with a piece of cured madake bamboo, which is then given 10 to 20 thin coats of urushi, polishing in between to obtain a smooth, well-protected surface. By default, the inside is coated with traditional vermillion bengara urushi, and the outside uses sugurome urushi, which is treated using an ancient traditional technique that yields a striking black, having a depth that would be unachievable using conventional pigments. Like the Bushi, each flute is given a name which is then painted on layer after layer using classical calligraphic characters in pure gold maki-e to finish.
In addition to deep black, these flutes can also be made in akebono-nuri, where a bit of vermillion urushi is allowed to peek through the surface, like the sunrise. The flute pictured is an example of this technique; the flute's name is Ei-fu, "Poem-singing Wind."
In addition to flat black, you can also choose other colors (no additional charge), have bits of red peeking through as in the photo (akebono nuri, +$250), or the style local to Aomori, Tsugaru-nuri (+$600).
When placing an order, a deposit of $100 will be charged; after that, I'll contact you to confirm the details of your flute and give an estimate for how long it will take (generally 3 to 6 months). The remainder is due upon completion.
- Materials: Madake, Urushi, Oxidized iron, 22~24kt. Gold.
- Price: from $2000.00 USD, depending on urushi style.
- Available in Oshiki (standard length), as well as Doyo, Hyojo, Banshiki, and Sojo sizes.
一休 Ikkyū - Based on Ikkyū-Zenji's hitoyogiri
Ikkyū, a Zen poet-monk who lived in the 1400's, was known as a hitoyogiri player and is credited with the piece Murasaki No Kyoku, which is now played on shakuhachi. His hitoyogiri was preserved, and is still on display in Kyōto to this day. A longish Banshiki-giri, the flute is made of madake with urushi-hardened ratan bindings for added strength against cracking, and has a very small bore, giving it a clear, ethereal sound. The bore is left without urushi by default, so you'll want to oil it every so often. A thin coat of urushi can be added for extra protection upon request, however. It's not easy to find bamboo that matches its dimensions, so these are quite limited in quantity, but well worth it. While it is good for playing classical hitoyogiri music (which Ikkyū himself likely played), this is a poet's flute; I would recommend taking it outside, listening to the sounds around you, and making your own music as well!
This hitoyogiri uses the style and measurements from Ikkyū's flute. Like the Bushi, the bindings are done over stong, inlaid nylon bindings to further prevent cracking.
- Materials: Madake or Susudake, Urushi, Ratan.
- Price: $1900.00 USD
- This is an ancient-style Banshiki flute, longer than most Banshiki but shorter than Oshiki flutes.
Custom Orders
If you have something else in mind, either along the lines of the above, or something different, feel free to ask.
For example, many older flutes are decorated in more elaborate gold maki-e designs, such as floating clouds or leaves and vines. I've also been working on a koi-nobori, or upstream-swimming carp design. Different colors of urushi could also be employed, or various combinations of bindings, etc.
The first flute pictured was bound with ratan, given black urushi, and then the ratan was polished out and coated again with translucent urushi. The second one employs charcoal black urushi and a matte finish, bound with matte black cord to match. This is just a small smattering of what's possible.
When placing an order, a deposit of $100 will be charged; after that, I'll contact you to confirm the details of your flute and give an estimate for how long it will take (generally 3 to 6 months). The remainder is due upon completion.
- Materials: Madake, Susudake, Urushi, Ratan, Gold, Silver, Platinum, ...?
- Price: Varies
猿鳴 Onmyō - Cry of the Monkey (Resin model)
This is the flute that we use in hitoyogiri lessons. Bamboo flutes can differ in they way they play and respond; this hitoyogiri was designed based on the dimensions and playability of the best historical models, so that everyone participating has an instrument that is able to play all of the classical pieces - not to mention that having the same flute makes it easier to give accurate playing advice. The flute is also designed to be relatively easy to adapt to for those who already play shakuhachi, though this is not a prerequisite for learning.
Each flute is printed using engineering resin that is tough and can withstand high temperatures, so you can bring the flute with you anywhere without worrying about it - if you leave it in a hot car, it won't explode like bamboo would. It is coated with an urushi-like lacquer made from the sap of the cashew tree. (If you have cashew nut allergies, please let me know and I'll use something else on yours.) It is layered on like urushi, then polished and given a pure gold (24kt) maki-e that reads "Onmyo."
"On" is a reading of the character for Monkey; "Myo" is an animal's call or cry. "The cry of the monkey" is a reference to the mythical beginnings of the hitoyogiri. A group of hippies in ancient China had noticed that the ethereal cry of a certain golden monkey had the effect of banishing worldly desires and pointing them toward the truth. They started a mountain-dwelling community, with many leaving their government jobs to join. The governor was upset by this, and had the monkey killed. On the anniversary of its death, they exhumed its body. As the wind hit the humerus bone, it made a sound not unlike the monkey's cry. Someone opened some holes in the bone until the pitch was just right, and thus was born the hitoyogiri (then simply called "shakuhachi") - a flute whose sound is meant not for entertainment, but for elevating your consciousness.
While this may be considered a "student" flute, it is made with care and plays like the best. My friend Shawn Head has even made this his primary hitoyogiri, as he has joined classes and contributed invaluable insight into the broader historical context of the flute.
The price is $475, which includes a bag as well as international shipping.
- Materials: Urethane Resin, Cashew lacquer, Urushi (only for the maki-e), Pure gold.
- Price: $475.00 USD
About Hitoyogiri Shakuhachi
The hitoyogiri shakuhachi was originally known simply as the "shakuhachi;" it later came to be called the hitoyogiri to distinguish it from the Fuke shakuhachi that came into vogue during the Edo era. Though very similar to the shakuhachi we know, it is also distinct in several ways. It is shorter - more portable - and has a higher, lighter sound, like birdsong. Its solo repertoire clearly influenced the shakuhachi honkyoku that came later, but it mostly does without the half-tones that were popular during the Edo era (the songs are all pre-Edo), providing an often joyful and majestic complement to the shakuhachi honkyoku pieces. Again, though players and composers certainly had a sensitivity that could be called "spiritual" - an posture of attentiveness to nature - there was no official religious affiliation as there was with the shakuhachi. It also has a narrower octaval range (1.5), but is very flexible in that it is played using five different modes, playing their respective pieces in time with the yearly cycle of seasons. Its repertoire, however, completely died out during the Edo era; I hope you'll join me in re-discovering this ancient instrument, putting some new life and creativity into things that came before. Visit the lessons page to sign up.
