Binding Shakuhachi

• For best appearance, keep the "knot" area of each binding to the back side of the flute and cut off the thread ends flush with the wrappings using a razor knife after the binding is nice and tight.
• Avoid using waxed thread; it is much harder to tighten and tends to loosen ; IMO it's also not as snappy looking and tends to pick up detritus. It's also a good idea, after each binding is tight, to secure it by a few well-placed drops of THIN super glue (cyanoacrylate); you can't do this successfully with waxed thread. This will be invisible and works very well; Monty uses this method; also has thread or knows a source for it . Shoe repair shops are often a good source, and often have a selection of neutral colors in addition to black.
• The area most likely to crack on a traditional root-end shakuhachi is the mouth-piece half. The root end usually is not in as much danger. Non root-end flutes should be bound along their entire length, as illustrated.
• This is not rocket science, but it does require a bit of acquired skill; I suggest practicing a bit on a piece of dowel or pvc to get some consistency before taking up your beloved shakuhachi....

Comments by edBeaty

Drawing and image text from The Japanese Shakuhachi Flute: Notes on the Craft & Construction by Monty Levenson. (used with permission).