Japanese Flutes

[jetz320]

Hi everybody!!!! I just saw a book today in my school library about Japanese music. And there are SO MANY INSTRUMENTS IN JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am getting so interested in the Japanese flutes. I want to buy a shakuhachi so much!!!!! I saw a really good looking one on ebay and hope to buy it.

Another flute that caught my interest is the Ryuteki, Noh, and Komabue flute. I had seen these flutes before on a Japanese show taking place in the time of samurais. The sound was cool and I like the design. It's not big and heavy but the looks and design look like a dizi. The technique is a little different but I should have no hard time adjusting from the dizi. So does anyone know where to buy these?

Do they sell these in China? I also want to buy a mini koto in China now!!!!!!!!!!!! The metalic sound is so cool! Any info is greatly welcome and appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[kyokuhon]

Hi, all.
Wow, you've got the fever, jetz320! Actually, I've always thought of the Japanese instrumentarium as fairly restricted compared to China, but I'm glad you're excited. I play shakuhachi and shinobue (hence my online name). I got my shakuhachi from my teacher, but for other Japanese music stuff try: www.mejiro-japan.com. They've got shakuhachi, shinobue, nokan, etc. But get your wallet ready! Especially if you're used to prices for Chinese instruments, you're in for some sticker shock. However, they do have some plastic and beginner instruments that won't set you back too much.
Best to all, and keep playing,
K.

[jetz320]

Yes. I've seen that website and they ARE SO EXPENSIVE!!!!!! I saw a noh flute on ebay but the seller won't sell it to people with less than 5 feedback!!!! I only have FOUR!!!!!!!! UHHHHH!!!!! I like the design of the komabue flute though. It seems really cool for the shape. I may go to Japantown next time I go to San Francisco. Hopefully!!!!! I'll see if they have any Japanese flutes there.

[kyokuhon]

Oooh... Japantown in SF! Have some soba for me! I've only been there once so far, but my suspicion is that you'll need to ask around to find any traditional flutes. The Japanese are sooo modern these days. Also, my overall experience is that bargains only exist if you have a personal connection. You could also contact Monty Levenson at shakuhachi.com. He mostly does shakuhachi, but may have some connections for other flutes as well.
Good luck,
K.

[jetz320]

Thanks for the help. I may go there in November. I don't go to SF that often. The traffic on the Bay Bridge is horrible 24/7!

[kyokuhon]

So, jetz320,
What's the update on Japanese flutes?
K.

[jetz320]

No speak Japanesey!

[kuduchi]

I never knew there were players of Japanese music here on this forum. But yeah, there are many many Japanese flutes as well as instruments. Some Japanese instruments are now obsolete and played by a certain few trying to preserve its existence. Like the ichi-gen-koto (related to the Vietnamese one string zither..dan bau?) and the gekkin (relative to the Chinese Zhong Ruan).

If anyone is looking for a shakuhachi but is worried about the condition of the wood, try looking up the Yuu shakuhachi. It looks and feels like a Shakuhachi..the only thing is...it is plastic. But from what I heard by people who have it, they are VERY content with it!

[davidmdahl]

Feb 18, 2009 19:40:26 GMT kuduchi said:

<snip> Like the ichi-gen-koto (related to the Vietnamese one string zither..dan bau?) <snip>

The ichigenkin (as I have heard of it), appart from having one string, is quite different from the dan bau. I think that the ichigenkin is more like a one string guqin. There is some interesting information by Randy Raine-Reusch at www.ichigenkin.com and there is a small article at wikipedia.org.

[davidmdahl]

Feb 18, 2009 19:40:26 GMT kuduchi said:

I never knew there were players of Japanese music here on this forum. But yeah, there are many many Japanese flutes as well as instruments. Some Japanese instruments are now obsolete and played by a certain few trying to preserve its existence. <snip>

Several years ago I saw a shinobue performance at the Folklife Festival in Seattle. I was totally charmed by the music and style. I am often left puzzled by shakuhachi music, but the shinobue tunes were more like elegant folkmusic, and easier for me to grok.

Best wishes,

David

[calex]

Is that the shakukachi are you talking of? It looks good but I prefer Ryuteki. It looks better that shakukachi.. Well, that's only my opinion.. It's still your choice. Did you already buy one?

Ryuteki

Komabue

[fausto]

Shinobue is often refered to as a Fue in the U.S. I actually ordered a fue and am going to start learning how to play on my own. I was told by people on a shakuhachi forum (shakuhachi BBQ) that the japanese only fue (shinobue) instructional DVD is incredibly helpful, even if you don't speak japanese.

[oltrelogo]

In the late 18th century the flute was very popular. When the masters grew tired of this instrument the flutes were usually given to the servants of the great houses. The flute soon was adapted to play the same range. During the height of its popularity, attempts were made to make flutes out of different materials including glass, although typically they were made out of dark tropical woods.

[xindi]

"During the height of its popularity, attempts were made to make flutes out of different materials including glass, although typically they were made out of dark tropical woods."

Yes - I have a gorgeous jade stone coloured one which looks a milion dollars and sounds atrocious

[Blue]

Here's an example of someone playing a glass flute:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3tTYj8TbHs

[xindi]

Hmmm..lost my reply to this somewhere.

The glass sounds very clear and bright. I hope he doesn't drop it like I did to my jade one..