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Updated May 25, 2010
The following MUJITSU Shakuhachi by Ken LaCosse are in stock and available for purchase. Feel free to contact me with any questions. This page changes periodically so be sure to return for the latest update.
The flutes on this page are the finest that I have available. They are made from Japanese Madake culms of some of the highest quality obtainable. Although each flute has a distinct tonal personality, the overall tonal quality that characterizes Mujitsu Jinashi Shakuhachi is a glowing, fluid playability. The Taimu Shakuhachi are characterized by their breathy, penetrating glow. All flutes are meticulously and patiently adjusted until they are ready to be included here.
The black or dark flutes which are occasionally included here are fashioned after some of the finer vintage Komuso flutes I've had the opportunity to play and study. The Komuso monks often painted the outside of their flutes with urushi, presumably to protect them from the elements. The black urushi surface is soft and velvety yet extremely durable.
Also, check out other shakuhachi for lower priced flutes.
Auditioning Shakuhachi
The Mujitsu Shakuhachi Flutes below can be auditioned under the following terms:
I ask for full payment in advance of shipment (money orders, cashiers checks and VISA MasterCard, PayPal orders only please) Upon receipt of payment, I'll ship the flute by USPS Mail. A full refund (minus shipping expense) will be given if you decide to return the flute (insured) in its original condition when received. An additional 3% will be charged for returned credit card orders. Please let me know within two days upon receipt if you wish to purchase or return the flute.
(Please include $25 shipping/insurance with orders unless stated otherwise.)
Please contact me for details or to reserve a flute.
Shakuhachi in stock Mu Shakuhachi Taimu without the holes.  MU Shakuhachi are long, extra wide shakuhachi without holes! Made from the same bamboo as Taimu Shakuhachi, these flutes are made for low, breathy, meditative RO blowing and harmonics. MU Shakuhachi are made to order and range in length from approximately 85cm. to 110cm. Diameters range from approximately 5.5cm to 6.5cm. $275 - Natural Bore $375 - Urushi bore and urushi stained roots. ($20 shipping in US) Please contact me to order. Mujitsu Shakuhachi T-shirt 100% cotton. Available in large and extra large. Please specify. $15  In U.S. In Canada Other countries      Mujitsu 1.8 (C#) Slightly wider bore than convention so tuned down to C#. Slightly windy tone. 35 year old Japanese madake bamboo. Upturned root. $1,500      Taimu 2.27 (A) Wide bore, breathy, glowing tone. Solid piece. Holes are slightly offset and angled. Can be played with fingertips or pads of index fingers. $1,500      Taimu 2.34 (G#) Rich, breathy, glowing tone. Angled slightly offset holes. Can be played with fingertips or pads of index fingers. $1,750       Taimu 2.5 (G#) Two piece Taimu shakuhachi. Lightweight. Fast, breathy attack. Can be played with speed. Dark brown, black urushi bore and exterior. $1,500      Taimu 2.9 (F) Dense, solid piece. Slightly oval with flattened face. Glowing, rich depth of tone. $2,000      Taimu 2.45 (G#) Wide bore Jimori Taimu. Angled holes. Best played with pipers grip. Rich, glowing, foghorn tone with powerful vibration. $2,000     Taimu 2.75 (G/F#) Slightly thinner than extra wide bore Taimu so slighly more focused tone. Ephemeral, rich tone. Quick attack. Offset holes. Slightly flattened face. Solid piece. $2,000       Taimu 2.8 (F#) Solid, dense, heavy, wide bore, Jimori Taimu. Offset holes. Glowing, powerful raspy tone. A big club. Red urushi bore. Brown, rubbed urushi exterior. $2,000 Listen to this flute (Played by Brian Tairaku Ritchie)      Mujitsu 1.6 (D#) Elegant, rustic 30+ year old Japanese Madake bamboo. Smooth, sweet, warm jinashi sound. $1,500     Taimu 2.9 (F++) This Taimu has a breathy, rich and resonant tone. The holes are offset for easier playing with the pads of the index fingers. Elegant upturned root. $2,000    Mujitsu 1.45 (F) This Mujitsu is slightly wider bored than conventional shakuhachi which gives it an open, breathy, yet sweet tone. Nicely shaped bamboo. Slightly flatenned face. Attractive rootend. $1,200     Taimu 2.5 This 2.5 Taimu plays with an airy, wispy and rich tone. The second register is especially easy to play. Very nice balance between the notes. Rubbed with dark red urushi finish outside with black preventative binding. Inline holes. $2,500      Taimu 1.9 and 2.1 These two shakuhachi were made together. Short Taimu like this can be challenging to pull off. I'm happy with the results of these two flutes. Taimu 1.9 (Shortest flute) This is the widest bore 1.9 I've made. Penetrating, airy, glowing tone. Very large holes give it an expressive quality. Nice, solid piece of bamboo with comfortable flattened face. Short enough to play with fingertips yet still retains a complex, wide bore sound. Surprisingly smooth second register. Tuned between C and C#. $2,250 Taimu 2.1 (Longer flute) Similar flute tonewise. Breathy, hollow, rustic voice. Best played with pads of the fingers. Nice second register. Tuned between Bb and B. $1,750       Three 2.4 Taimu These three 2.4 Taimu Shakuhachi were made together in a group. Working on flutes in groups is a good way to compare bore work strategy. All three flutes have an individual tone quality. SOLD #1 (Far left)
This first 2.4 plays with a smooth, airy glow. It's a
relatively
easy player. The holes are offset making it comfortable to hold and
play. SOLD #2 (Middle)
Dense, nicely round bamboo. Widest bore of the three. The
tone is
very powerful, penetrating and glowing. Plays soft and subtle as #3 (Far right)
Slightly thinner bored than #2. The tone is rich, ariy and
dark.
Smooth, mysterious tone. Very nice bamboo. Solid, dense, elegant.    
Jinashi 1.55     2.1 (B) This flute has a strong, full, natural tone. Although it has a relatively thin bore for a jinashi flute, it has a strong, direct, breathy quality. It is a lightweight flute that is very easy to hold and play for long periods. $1,500 Listen to this shakuahchi |
Ken LaCosse 415 242-0919 email