Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

Bamboo is a woody material; it absorbs and desorbs moisture; absorption/desorption = expansion/contraction = eventual checking/cracking. Preventing/limiting the absoption/desorption of moisture can eliminate or greatly reduce the chances of checking/cracking. The best way to deal with abortion/desorption is to seal the wood completely; most especially the end-grain. The old monks and samurai knew this as is evidenced by the frequent practice of sealing the complete flute in Urushi lacquer.

People seal their wooden decks, for a good reason.

After purchasing, and making, a few bamboo Shakuhachi, and dealing with cracks in both, I just LOVE my plastic 'Yuu'.

Lorka wrote:

I was wondering if coating a new bamboo shakuhachi in clear lacquer helps to preserve the bamboo in any way, or make it less susceptible to cracking?

It sounds like you may be referring to non-Japanese lacquers rather than urushi. The lacquer will help stop cracking if it acts as a water barrier. The less it lets water pass through, the better. Urushi also acts as a water barrier.

However, urushi (and I might guess also other lacquers) is not a 100% barrier. It will only slow down the passing of water. If you take 2 shakuhachi, one coated and one not, into a dry climate, the probability is that the coated one will last longer. For example, in a really dry climate, the non-coated one might crack in 3 days, and the coated one might take 1 month to crack.

So the thing to understand is, even if it is coated, try to keep it in a good environment. Think of violins, which are varnished, but still need to be taken care of. What the coating will do is more protect from sudden variations.

If you have no choice but to keep it in a dry environment for extended periods, it might be advisable to have it professionally bound. Another common precaution is to keep it in a closed plastic bag when not in use.

Take care
Justin
http://senryushakuhachi.com/

Last edited by Justin (2008-06-14 01:41:17)

Lorka wrote:

I was wondering if coating a new bamboo shakuhachi in clear lacquer helps to preserve the bamboo in any way, or make it less susceptible to cracking?

Matt,

I don't have any scientific evidence to support it, but when I use urushi on the exterior, I do it under the assumption that it probably helps to some degree. How much is hard to say. I don't think it's the best substitute for poor quality bamboo or neglect, but on well cured bamboo, it probably can't hurt.

Ken

[breathes sigh of relief]

Last edited by edosan (2008-06-14 16:20:18)

Hi Lorka, I've seen cracks on old shakuhachi that have been fully lacquered all over. And, no cracks on very old flutes with no external lacquer. As others have pointed out, the age of the bamboo, the growing conditions, where it cured and if it was moved from it's original place of curing all influence the potential for cracking. I think bindings are the best preventative measure.

Peace, Perry