Ken LaCosse





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Updated November 10, 2011

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.

Ken LaCosse



Shakuhachi in stock




Flute Bags by Susanne Frey
Available here






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  (SOLD OUT - New
design coming soon.)
100% cotton. Available in large and extra large.
Please specify. 

$15
Mujitsu Shakuhachi t-shirt Ken LaCosse


In U.S.

In Canada
 

Other countries
 





Taimu Fingering Charts





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

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







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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





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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






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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






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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




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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


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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
 












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Ken LaCosse 415 242-0919  email