John Kaizan Neptune Flute Making

Thereare two different approaches I use in making shakuhachi: an extremelyfine-tuned shaped bore, hand-shaped or casted; and leaving thebore as natural as possible, but still working on various pointsso that the instrument plays well. Some players prefer the estheticof a more natural "jinashi" (no-putty) shakuhachi, buta shaped bore gives the maker much more control over the tonequality, pitch, and balance.

I began working on the acoustics ofshakuhachi more than twenty years ago. Basically, I could notfind an instrument with the kind of balance I was looking forno matter how much I paid for a flute. Working closely with mastershakuhachi maker Masuda Shuho, I began making my own shakuhachi,and also some shakuhachi for other players. I now also work closelywith Monty Levenson who has perfected a bore casting process thatsimplifies the most difficult part of shakuhachi making--accuratelyshaping the bore. For those interested in shakuhachi acousticscheck out "An Interesting Bore".

Neptune shakuhachi are generally U.S.$3000for any length of shakuhachi, standard "shaped" boreor no-putty "natural" bore.

For a less expensive but highly recommendedalternative check out the cast-boreshakuhachi that Monty Levenson makes.