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.
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.
Mujitsu
1.8 (D) SOLD The
second of a series of 1.8's to come out of the shop. 35 year
old
Japanese madake jinashi. Very slightly wider bore than conventional
shakuhachi.
Therefore, the tone is slightly windy yet retains the velvety tone of
the jinashi style.
$1,500
Mujitsu
1.8 (D) The
first of a series of 1.8's to come out of the shop in awhile. 35 year
old
Japanese madake jinashi. Smooth power. Easy player. Sweet second
register.
Reduced price.
$1,500
Mujitsu
1.9 (C#) Here
is a 1.9 which somehow defies the odds. It’s made from
Chinese
root bamboo, but has made it to my high end shakuhachi page.
It
has what I call offset hole spacing. (A node between holse 1 and 2 and
between 3 and 4) Never the less, this particular piece turned
out
to be a gem. In fact, this flute is the best conventional bore
shakuhachi to come out of the shop in awhile. This has been my personal
shakuhachi for the last year. Originally not for sale. Now available.
Rich, warm, resonant, velvet tone. Deep depth. Red urushi bore. Black
rubbed urushi velvet like exterior.
$2,500
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
(In for repair - Please contact me)
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#) SOLD 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#) SOLD 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
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 SOLD
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 withdark
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
SOLD
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.
Solid bamboo. Nice root. (k)
$1,500
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
well. Quick attack, nice depth and smooth decay. Offset holes. This
flute is a good example of the widest bore Taimu glow that I look for
when
making a flute.
$2,500
#3 (Far right)
Slightly thinner bored than #2. The tone is rich, ariy and
dark.
Smooth, mysterious tone. Very nice bamboo. Solid, dense, elegant.
Slightly flattened face makes the inline holes very comfortable. The
sound and shape of this flute gives me a "centering" quality while
playing.
$2,500
Jinashi 1.55
This is a sweet toned flute tuned to E = 434. Made from a nice 30 year
old piece of Japanese Madake. Solid, dense bamboo.
$1,500
2.1
(B) SOLD 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