As a maker I appreciate those of you that realize all that goes into a
shakuhachi. As to the drying Monty's site has a wonderful reference and
you can even see the colors before and after the aburanuki or cooking
over hot coals (not to be confused with aburamushi or cockroaches). The
thing that no one has addressed here is that after that and placing them
to dry in the sun for a few days then in a shaded well ventilated place
the process of curing doesn't provide pieces that are ready for three
years. Some people cheat and use them earlier at the risk of cracking or
they might flame temper (or smoke) them which seems to turn out a pretty
hard piece but I cannot speak to the long term life of a smoked flute. I
have made traditional shakuhachi for 22 years but have just in the last
year tried the smoking or flame tempering as a method to finish curing.
I would love to hear from others who have had good luck with the process
for more than a decade or two. The real test is, have they cracked after
15-20 years.
Peace and love to all good luck playing and making
Greg Bartlett
www.bigrockflutes.com
shakuhachi wrote:
>shakuhachi Tue, 10 May 2005 Volume 1 : Number 850
>
>In this issue:
>
> Re: [Shaku] Tsuru no Sugomori
> RE: shakuhachi V1 #849
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Bamboo
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
> Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 04:05:02 -0700 (PDT)
>From: "Justin ." <justinasia@yahoo.com>
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] Tsuru no Sugomori
>Message-ID: <20050509110502.11275.qmail@web53204.mail.yahoo.com>
>
>Hi Alcvin
>Wow that's great that you have the notation. I'm not
>sure about the internet thing. I'm kind of homeless
>and on the constant move. But I am seeing a teacher
>here inthe UK, and he will teach me his version of the
>piece. I had just wanted to do my homework before he
>taught me, to make the most of the lessons (as they're
>quite expensive. As for the notation you have, is
>there a chance you could scan it and email it to me?
>Are there any things in it that you think I wouldn't
>be able to work out from the notation and listening to
>the LP, such as peculiar fingering or something? The
>online going through it does sound nice though. Is
>that expensive? Anyway, perhaps I could figure it out
>by myself?
> Thanks again Alcvin. It would be nice to meet up some
>time. Now that I'm in Enlgland, do let me know if
>you're ever coming through. If I do get a place to
>live you'd be welcome.
> Best wishes
> Justin.
>--- Alcvin Ramos <ramos@dccnet.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Dear Justin,
>>
>>I have the Miyata version notation of Tsuru no
>>Sugomori (trascribed by
>>Larry Tyrrell). This was the first version of Tsuru
>>no Sugomori I
>>learned. I also learned the two versions of the
>>piece from Yokoyama's
>>school and Betsuden Tsuru no Sugomori. If you're
>>interested in going
>>over it with me, we can do it via internet (that's
>>assuming you live
>>far from BC, Canada and depending if you have the
>>right hardware and
>>software for video conferencing.)
>>
>>You must realize by now that honkyoku is not a
>>static art form. It
>>always changes from person to person and from moment
>>to moment.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>Alcvin
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>__________________________________
>Yahoo! Mail Mobile
>Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Check email on your mobile phone.
>http://mobile.yahoo.com/learn/mail
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 22:44:42 +0900
>From: "Jeff Cairns" <shaku8@iris.dti.ne.jp>
>To: <shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
>Subject: RE: shakuhachi V1 #849
>Message-ID: <200505091344.j49Diph1008512@smtp5.dti.ne.jp>
>
>Kel,
>With regard to drying your culms, I strongly suggest after taking them from
>the ground, drawing the oils out while slowly rotating over red hot coals.
>The oils will bubble to the surface and you should wipe the oil off. The
>color should change from a dark green to a pale/whitish green. Any surface,
>black coloration should come off at that time as well.
>I would also suggest that you not remove the nodes while the bamboo rests in
>a dark place. This should be done when you are ready to actually work the
>piece.
>Good luck with it.
>jeff
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 07:26:20 -0700 (PDT)
>From: John Baker <jinpa19822003@yahoo.com>
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050509142621.1614.qmail@web52110.mail.yahoo.com>
>
>--- Tuscia-Falconer <falconer@enternet.co.nz> wrote:
>
>
>>Hello,
>>I am collecting culms, not mandake but a very
>>similar bamboo of consistet
>>size and for a novice I have had reasonable success
>>in getting them to play.
>>My question is regarding curing and drying.
>>
>>
>
>Hi.
>
>Monty Levenson's web site shakuhachi.com has pictures
>and narrative of his experiences gathering bamboo in
>Japan. He harvests in January (Japanese winter) and
>heats the bamboo to drive out the sap. Then he dries
>the bamboo in the open weather for three years, I
>believe. Heating the bamboo removes whatever attracts
>the insects to the bamboo, so the insects do not eat
>the harvest.
>
>Then Monty makes a flute.
>
>I think this is a long process that I, the customer,
>have to pay for. I'm grateful to Monty and other
>makers for what they do. If I had to make my own
>flutes, I probably would not play.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Baker
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 08:14:02 -0700 (PDT)
>From: JASON CASTNER <jchanwagenki@yahoo.com>
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050509151402.30319.qmail@web21123.mail.yahoo.com>
>
> John, What does this mean? U wouldnt play the flute?
>
>
>
> If I had to make my own
>
>
>>flutes, I probably would not play.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>John Baker
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>__________________________________
>Yahoo! Mail Mobile
>Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Check email on your mobile phone.
>http://mobile.yahoo.com/learn/mail
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 09 May 2005 10:24:39 -0500
>From: "Tim Cassler" <Tim.Cassler@bromcomm.com>
>To: <Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <s27f3b41.068@nwgwout.chi.publicisgroupe.net>
>
>This is a MIME message. If you are reading this text, you may want to
>consider changing to a mail reader or gateway that understands how to
>properly handle MIME multipart messages.
>
>--=__Part725142A7.0__=
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
>John has a good point. I, too, am grateful for the level of artisanship
>and skill that goes into a well made shakuhachi. They are works of art.
>
>That being said, I have to add that I get a great deal of pleasure out
>of playing a 2.0 that I made out of a blank that I got from a guy in
>California for $3.75, if I remember right. (I bought 4 and trashed 3 of
>them in the process). At any rate, it must have absolutely been beginner
>luck because my holes are in the right place. And though they are not
>all the 'correct' size in diameter, the notes are in pitch and I can get
>through the entire range of notes on it. Plus it has a real nice breathy
>tone to it. The utaguchi was cut and sanded by hand....no insert, just
>bamboo. A while back, I made a 2.4 out of 1" PVC, and it sounds good,
>too.
>
>All that being said, making a flute of one's own makes one appreciate
>all the more the beauty and quality of a flute that is made by far more
>capable, experienced and artistic hands.
>
>Selah.
>
>:o)
>
>
>
>
>
>>>>jinpa19822003@yahoo.com 05/09/05 09:26AM >>>
>>>>
>>>>
>
>--- Tuscia-Falconer <falconer@enternet.co.nz> wrote:
>
>
>>Hello,
>>I am collecting culms, not mandake but a very
>>similar bamboo of consistet
>>size and for a novice I have had reasonable success
>>in getting them to play.
>>My question is regarding curing and drying.
>>
>>
>
>Hi.
>
>Monty Levenson's web site shakuhachi.com has pictures
>and narrative of his experiences gathering bamboo in
>Japan. He harvests in January (Japanese winter) and
>heats the bamboo to drive out the sap. Then he dries
>the bamboo in the open weather for three years, I
>believe. Heating the bamboo removes whatever attracts
>the insects to the bamboo, so the insects do not eat
>the harvest.
>
>Then Monty makes a flute.
>
>I think this is a long process that I, the customer,
>have to pay for. I'm grateful to Monty and other
>makers for what they do. If I had to make my own
>flutes, I probably would not play.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Baker
>_____________________________________________
>
>List un/subscription information is at:
>http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>
>
>--=__Part725142A7.0__=
>Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>Content-Description: HTML
>
><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
><HTML><HEAD>
><META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1"=
>
>
><META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2900.2604" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
><BODY style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 2px; FONT: 8pt Tahoma; MARGIN-LEFT: 2px">
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>John has a good point. I, too, am grateful fo=
>r the=20
>level of artisanship and skill that goes into a well made shakuhachi. They =
>are=20
>works of art.</FONT></DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>That being said, I have to add that I get a great deal =
>of=20
>pleasure out of playing a 2.0 that I made out of a blank that I got =
>from a=20
>guy in California for $3.75, if I remember right. (I bought 4 and trashed =
>3 of=20
>them in the process). At any rate, it must have absolutely been =
>beginner=20
>luck because my holes are in the right place. And though they are not all =
>the=20
>'correct' size in diameter, the notes are in pitch and I can get through =
>the=20
>entire range of notes on it. Plus it has a real nice breathy tone to it. =
>The=20
>utaguchi was cut and sanded by hand....no insert, just bamboo. </FONT><FONT=
>=20
>size=3D2>A while back, I made a 2.4 out of 1" PVC, and it sounds good,=20
>too.</FONT></DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>All that being said, making a flute of one's own =
>makes=20
>one appreciate all the more the beauty and quality of a flute that is made =
>by=20
>far more capable, experienced and artistic hands.</FONT></DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>Selah.</FONT></DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2>:o)</FONT></DIV>
><DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
><DIV><BR><BR>>>> jinpa19822003@yahoo.com 05/09/05 09:26AM=20
>>>><BR><BR>--- Tuscia-Falconer <falconer@enternet.co.nz>=20
>wrote:<BR>> Hello,<BR>> I am collecting culms, not mandake but a=20
>very<BR>> similar bamboo of consistet<BR>> size and for a novice I =
>have=20
>had reasonable success<BR>> in getting them to play.<BR>> My =
>question is=20
>regarding curing and drying. <BR><BR>Hi.<BR><BR>Monty Levenson's web =
>site=20
>shakuhachi.com has pictures<BR>and narrative of his experiences gathering =
>bamboo=20
>in<BR>Japan. He harvests in January (Japanese winter) and<BR>heats =
>the=20
>bamboo to drive out the sap. Then he dries<BR>the bamboo in the =
>open=20
>weather for three years, I<BR>believe. Heating the bamboo removes =
>whatever=20
>attracts<BR>the insects to the bamboo, so the insects do not eat<BR>the=20
>harvest.<BR><BR>Then Monty makes a flute.<BR><BR>I think this is a long =
>process=20
>that I, the customer,<BR>have to pay for. I'm grateful to Monty =
>and=20
>other<BR>makers for what they do. If I had to make my own<BR>flutes, =
>I=20
>probably would not play.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>John=20
>Baker<BR>_____________________________________________<BR><BR>List=20
>un/subscription information is at:<BR><A=20
>href=3D"http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html">http://communicat=
>ion.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html</A><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>
>
>--=__Part725142A7.0__=--
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 11:08:18 -0700 (PDT)
>From: JASON CASTNER <jchanwagenki@yahoo.com>
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050509180818.60028.qmail@web21123.mail.yahoo.com>
>
>Personally, I don't care if the flute is made by an
>experienced person or not. If there is a flute laying
>around wherever I am at, I will play it and enjoy it.
>:) Anything else would be like saying if I can't
>always drive a Porsche then I will walk, or just not
>go anywhere at all. :)
>
>jason
>
>--- Tim Cassler <Tim.Cassler@bromcomm.com> wrote:
>
>
>>John has a good point. I, too, am grateful for the
>>level of artisanship
>>and skill that goes into a well made shakuhachi.
>>They are works of art.
>>
>>That being said, I have to add that I get a great
>>deal of pleasure out
>>of playing a 2.0 that I made out of a blank that I
>>got from a guy in
>>California for $3.75, if I remember right. (I bought
>>4 and trashed 3 of
>>them in the process). At any rate, it must have
>>absolutely been beginner
>>luck because my holes are in the right place. And
>>though they are not
>>all the 'correct' size in diameter, the notes are in
>>pitch and I can get
>>through the entire range of notes on it. Plus it has
>>a real nice breathy
>>tone to it. The utaguchi was cut and sanded by
>>hand....no insert, just
>>bamboo. A while back, I made a 2.4 out of 1" PVC,
>>and it sounds good,
>>too.
>>
>>All that being said, making a flute of one's own
>>makes one appreciate
>>all the more the beauty and quality of a flute that
>>is made by far more
>>capable, experienced and artistic hands.
>>
>>Selah.
>>
>>:o)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>>>jinpa19822003@yahoo.com 05/09/05 09:26AM >>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>--- Tuscia-Falconer <falconer@enternet.co.nz> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>I am collecting culms, not mandake but a very
>>>similar bamboo of consistet
>>>size and for a novice I have had reasonable
>>>
>>>
>>success
>>
>>
>>>in getting them to play.
>>>My question is regarding curing and drying.
>>>
>>>
>>Hi.
>>
>>Monty Levenson's web site shakuhachi.com has
>>pictures
>>and narrative of his experiences gathering bamboo in
>>Japan. He harvests in January (Japanese winter) and
>>heats the bamboo to drive out the sap. Then he
>>dries
>>the bamboo in the open weather for three years, I
>>believe. Heating the bamboo removes whatever
>>attracts
>>the insects to the bamboo, so the insects do not eat
>>the harvest.
>>
>>Then Monty makes a flute.
>>
>>I think this is a long process that I, the customer,
>>have to pay for. I'm grateful to Monty and other
>>makers for what they do. If I had to make my own
>>flutes, I probably would not play.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>John Baker
>>_____________________________________________
>>
>>List un/subscription information is at:
>>http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Mail
>Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour:
>http://tour.mail.yahoo.com/mailtour.html
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 14:20:32 EDT
>From: macshute2@aol.com
>To: shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Bamboo
>Message-ID: <105.60a8466f.2fb103f0@aol.com>
>
>--part1_105.60a8466f.2fb103f0_boundary
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
>Hi All,
>I have a question on bamboo and insects. I was in Hawaii on the Big Island
>and talk to someone who had made blinds out of bamboo for there home. They
>indicated that bamboo had now been approved for use in buildings on Kauai, but
>not the Big Island yet. Their problem was after making the blinds out of bamboo
>they had harvested, they started finding dust/powder, from some unknown
>beast/bug gnawing from somewhere inside. She said it tended to be a problem on
>their island. Has anyone observed this? Is it a problem for shakuhachi? Her
>question was does anyone know how to prevent it?
> Malcolm
>
>--part1_105.60a8466f.2fb103f0_boundary
>Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
>
><HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=
>=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Hi All,<BR>
>I have a question on bamboo and insects. I was in Hawaii on the Big Is=
>land and talk to someone who had made blinds out of bamboo for there home.&n=
>bsp; They indicated that bamboo had now been approved for use in buildings o=
>n Kauai, but not the Big Island yet. Their problem was after making th=
>e blinds out of bamboo they had harvested, they started finding dust/powder,=
> from some unknown beast/bug gnawing from somewhere inside. She said i=
>t tended to be a problem on their island. Has anyone observed this?&nb=
>sp; Is it a problem for shakuhachi? Her question was does anyone know=20=
>how to prevent it?<BR>
> Malcolm</FONT></HTML>
>
>--part1_105.60a8466f.2fb103f0_boundary--
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 13:03:25 -0700 (PDT)
>From: John Baker <jinpa19822003@yahoo.com>
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050509200325.34898.qmail@web52110.mail.yahoo.com>
>
>--- JASON CASTNER <jchanwagenki@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>> John, What does this mean? U wouldnt play the
>>flute?
>>
>>
>>
>> If I had to make my own
>>
>>
>>>flutes, I probably would not play.
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>John Baker
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>Hi.
>
>It means I live in the city, work full time & have no
>interest in craft work. I find it easier to make
>money and buy things than to make them. If I had to
>make things I would do without them.
>
>I am grateful to craft workers who sell their things.
>I like the artists and I like their products. I also
>buy CDs and books. I suppose I could make my own, but
>I prefer to buy. The thousands of musicians and
>authors present me with a wide choice & I don't mind
>the price. At a time when salaries were under $10.00
>per week, a Haynes Flute cost $150.00 & a single-sided
>record cost $1.00
>
>I own shakuhachi from two makers and I enjoy the
>fantasy I purchased with the flutes. I know that
>makers put years of experience into the flutes I have.
> I do not want to do the work to pile up years of
>experience. The experience is valuable to me & I
>don't mind paying for the experience and the fantasies
>I have about the experience. My fantasies about the
>makers are more interesting to me than fantasies about
>zen, komuso, ronin, enlightenment and other imaginary
>things.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Baker
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 14:57:38 -0700 (PDT)
>From: bjones@weber.ucsd.edu (Bruce Jones)
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050509215738.CDB208313@weber.ucsd.edu>
>
>
>
>>From: John Baker <jinpa19822003@yahoo.com>
>>
>>My fantasies about the makers are more interesting to me than
>>fantasies about zen, komuso, ronin, enlightenment and other imaginary
>>things.
>>
>>
>
>And, to paraphrase David Lee Roth, fantasies are more important
>than sex. When was the last time you went three days without
>daydreaming?
>
>bj
>
>-
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 11:38:30 +1200
>From: "Tuscia-Falconer" <falconer@enternet.co.nz>
>To: <Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <002201c554f0$4f478aa0$44a431ca@k7g5g0>
>
>Ah, but was that a sexual daydream....?
>Kel.
>
>
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>
>
>
>
>>>From: John Baker <jinpa19822003@yahoo.com>
>>>
>>>My fantasies about the makers are more interesting to me than
>>>fantasies about zen, komuso, ronin, enlightenment and other imaginary
>>>things.
>>>
>>>
>>And, to paraphrase David Lee Roth, fantasies are more important
>>than sex. When was the last time you went three days without
>>daydreaming?
>>
>>bj
>>
>>-
>>_____________________________________________
>>
>>List un/subscription information is at:
>> http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>>
>>
>>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 17:21:29 -0700 (PDT)
>From: bjones@weber.ucsd.edu (Bruce Jones)
>To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <20050510002129.DD98C82DE@weber.ucsd.edu>
>
>actually, Roth's comment was that rationalization was more
>important than sex. Doubt he was rationalizing the lack of
>the latter...
>
>bj
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 12:35:40 +1200
>From: "Tuscia-Falconer" <falconer@enternet.co.nz>
>To: <Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <003501c554f8$455be4c0$44a431ca@k7g5g0>
>
>I'd have to conclude that my rationalisation is to combine the two. (fantasy
>and sex)
>
>Kel.
>
>Anyway, how many shakuhachi makers have time for sex ?
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 16:58:01 +1200
>From: "Tuscia-Falconer" <falconer@enternet.co.nz>
>To: <Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu>
>Subject: Re: [Shaku] drying culms
>Message-ID: <001a01c5551c$fa499a20$6ca431ca@k7g5g0>
>
>Thanks for everyones reply's regarding the drying of culms.
>It has added to my understandings.
>
>Kel.
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of shakuhachi V1 #850
>*************************
>_____________________________________________
>
>List un/subscription information is at:
> http://communication.ucsd.edu/shaku/listsub.html
>
>
>
>
>
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