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News Hokoji In Taos now has a web site at www.hokojitaos.org check it out.
After studying Shakuhachi (Japanese Bamboo flute for twenty-eight years I have decided to begin making Shakuhachi for others who would like to learn to play. I am making only "Jinashi style" flutes at this time. Jinashi means natural bore in the style of the famous Komoso monks of Japan. In a Jinashi style shakuhachi, some of the nodes are left intact which gives the flute more of a bamboo sound. The Utaguchi (Mouthpiece) can be left natural or inlaid with Buffalo horn or Ivory according to the wishes of the buyer. The shakuhachi are made from cured Japanese Madake Bamboo obtained in Japan and are available in sizes from 1.6-1.8-1.9-2.0-2.1-2.2. I prefer at this time to only make "Nobekan" or one piece flutes which are traditional in the Jinashi. Hocchiku style. (Hocchiku means "Bamboo of the Dharma.) Practicing Shakuhachi is a great form of meditation, not in place of Zazen but to compliment it. People who are in a hurry to learn to play Shakuhachi should not take it up because it is a difficult instrument which resists all efforts to "Hurry." Each Shakuhachi that I make will be bound with 30 pound test nylon at critical points to prevent cracking and furnished with a leather Utaguchi cap. Prices on request.
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