Mujitsu and Tairaku's Shakuhachi BBQ

World Shakuhachi Discussion / Go to Live Shakuhachi Chat

You are not logged in.


Tube of delight!

#1 2007-12-24 06:02:23

udo.jeromin
Member
Registered: 2007-05-07
Posts: 72

color of bamboo

If you have a look at the first (two) repair example pics on Perry's

YUNG FLUTES SHAKUHACHI FLUTE REPAIRS CERTIFICATE

(on ebay --- that's the utaguchi repair sample) you'll notice that the
bamboo of the instrument has two colors (in the cross section),
darker towards the inside and lighter towards the outside.

The two (intact) bamboo shakuhachi I own have a similar feature
(a darker ring in the middle) and I was always wondering what the
cause might be.  My assumption would be change in environment,
sunlight, pollution, fire, or the like.

Did anyone think about it before?  Do you have other assumptions
(or, actually, perhaps even explanations as opposed to assumptions)?

Cheers, have a good holiday season, udo.

Offline

 

#2 2007-12-24 10:38:30

edosan
Edomologist
From: Salt Lake City
Registered: 2005-10-09
Posts: 2185

Re: color of bamboo

It is probably the addition of a piece of bamboo (or other material) to adjust the size of the bore at the
mouthpiece. If you could post a link to the image in question it would be helpful. I went to eBay and looked at
the Certificate page, but couldn't find such an image.

eB


Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.

Offline

 

#3 2007-12-24 11:16:27

udo.jeromin
Member
Registered: 2007-05-07
Posts: 72

Re: color of bamboo

Sorry, here are two images.  Don't think I can post Perry's picture here,
these are the utaguchis of my two shakuhachi:

http://udo.jeromin.googlepages.com/16utaguchi.jpg
http://udo.jeromin.googlepages.com/17utaguchi.jpg

Perry's pictures (on ebay) are at

http://cgi.ebay.com/YUNG-FLUTES-SHAKUHA … 25QQihZ003

(I am referring to the 2nd & 3rd pictures down on the page)

Cheers, udo.

Offline

 

#4 2007-12-24 12:19:36

edosan
Edomologist
From: Salt Lake City
Registered: 2005-10-09
Posts: 2185

Re: color of bamboo

Yes, that's what that is.

Sometimes, especially with ji-ari (bore shaped by filliing with ji) shakuhachi, the inner
diameter of the blowing end must be adjusted to be the optimum size (usually 2cm or so)
and/or to move the location of the opening to allow for the correct bevel.

This is done either by leaving some of the node membrane in place (not always possible--
more common on jinashi shakuhachi), or carefully inserting another piece of bamboo into the
blowing end. This has been done on your flute. More often, the addition consists of a
crescent-shaped piece of material opposite the blowing edge:

http://mujitsu.com/images/13007IMG_0801.jpg

It is called an ikigaeshi (breath return).

eB

Last edited by edosan (2007-12-24 12:23:29)


Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.

Offline

 

#5 2007-12-24 12:53:18

udo.jeromin
Member
Registered: 2007-05-07
Posts: 72

Re: color of bamboo

Hi Edosan,

thanks for your reply and the picture.  However, on my flutes it is certainly not
an inlay: some fibres of the bamboo traverse the dark zone which is proof that
the dark area is not a feature of the make of the instrument (but rather one of
the bamboo, I'd think).  I guess the pictures aren't that great, but they are the
best ones I have.  Also, the opening of the bore is entirely straight.
One of the flutes is a ji-ari the other is a ji-nashi.

Cheers, udo.

Offline

 

#6 2007-12-24 13:26:13

Mujitsu
Administrator/Flutemaker
From: San Francisco
Registered: 2005-10-05
Posts: 885
Website

Re: color of bamboo

udo.jeromin wrote:

Hi Edosan,

thanks for your reply and the picture.  However, on my flutes it is certainly not
an inlay: some fibres of the bamboo traverse the dark zone which is proof that
the dark area is not a feature of the make of the instrument (but rather one of
the bamboo, I'd think).

I notice this circular "stain" on pieces occasionally. Even if layers are sliced off, the stain continues to show. This suggests that it is some irregularity that runs through the fibers of the bamboo. Is there a botanist here who knows why? In any event, it looks cool.

Ken

Offline

 

#7 2007-12-24 18:18:04

Yungflutes
Flutemaker/Performer
From: New York City
Registered: 2005-10-08
Posts: 1061
Website

Re: color of bamboo

udo.jeromin wrote:

If you have a look at the first (two) repair example pics on Perry's

YUNG FLUTES SHAKUHACHI FLUTE REPAIRS CERTIFICATE

(on ebay --- that's the utaguchi repair sample) you'll notice that the
bamboo of the instrument has two colors (in the cross section),
darker towards the inside and lighter towards the outside.

The two (intact) bamboo shakuhachi I own have a similar feature
(a darker ring in the middle) and I was always wondering what the
cause might be.  My assumption would be change in environment,
sunlight, pollution, fire, or the like.

Did anyone think about it before?  Do you have other assumptions
(or, actually, perhaps even explanations as opposed to assumptions)?

Cheers, have a good holiday season, udo.

Hi udo, Here is the pic:
http://www.yungflutes.com/ebayphotos/repgiftcertb3.jpg

I've noticed this on my own stock and have seen it many times. And, I've often thought about it. My guess is that it's environmental due to how much water the bamboo got. Maybe the boo was locate near a stream that may have flooded. Just a guess.

Peace, Perry


"A hot dog is not an animal." - Jet Yung

My Blog/Website on the art of shakuhachi...and parenting.
How to make an Urban Shakuhachi (PVC)

Offline

 

#8 2007-12-24 19:54:34

udo.jeromin
Member
Registered: 2007-05-07
Posts: 72

Re: color of bamboo

Hi Perry,

thanks for picture & thoughts --- your guess sounds very plausible
(and, in my feeling, more friendly than mine: I like water better than fire).

Did you also observe some relation between the occurence of the coloring
and the origin of the bamboo?  If so it might give further hints to support
your explanation.

Cheers, udo.

Offline

 

#9 2007-12-24 21:06:50

edosan
Edomologist
From: Salt Lake City
Registered: 2005-10-09
Posts: 2185

Re: color of bamboo

It looks to me as though it stopped growing for a spell, then started up again, probably under some different
conditions: more/less moisture, light, nutrition.

eB


Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson

Google