[Shaku] RE: shakuhachi V1 #1018

This is in response to John Baker's question about soil condition for madake
growth.
I'm not an expert in this, however, I have been gathering madake in the
Kumamoto, Japan area for the past 20 years as an assistant to master maker
Tsurugi Kyomudo. What I can say is that the best makade for 1.8s tends to
be on the south-southeastern slope of a volcano that hasn't had recent
activity (that is, not within the last 150,000 years or so). It should rest
in packed soil that is the color of milk chocolate to a mahogany color. Any
darker, and it likely won't have the clay content that inhibits root depth
growth. A strong mesh of root filiments, interlaced on the surface might
suggest shallow root depth.
I found that bamboo found on the north-east slope of the same mountain with
similar soil conditions typically grows longer fushi, though the roots will
be appropriate and suitable.
As I said, I'm not an expert, but these are my observations. Hope they
help.
Jeff

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Received on Mon Feb 13 08:33 PST 2006