End-blown flute
Alternate name(s)
- Notch flute
Date1960 ca.
Place MadeJapan, Asia
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsnone
DescriptionEnd-blown, bamboo notched flute. Two-piece construction with visible seam between first and second finger holes. Interior lacquered black. Trapezoidal, water-buffalo-horn insert functions as voicing edge. Thick walls attributed to the use of the instrument not only for musical purposes, but also for self defense. Historically, wandering beggar monks traveled with flutes like this, playing in the streets. During the Edo period (rule of the Tokagawa shoguns, 1600-1868, a period of prosperity and flourishing arts), the shakuhachi began to be used as a secular ensemble instrument, and finally with the standard ensemble the sankyoku, comprised of shakuhachi, shamisen, and koto.
This I Shaku Ha Sun size instrument is of the Kinko school of shakuhachi playing because of the utaguchi shape. The utaguchi shape differs depending on the school of shakuhachi playing it comes from. The two main types are Kinko and Tozan.
DimensionsTotal length: 548 mm
Embouchure hole: 19.4 x 19.1 mm
ProvenancePreviously owned by Robert Cole, Montello, Wisconsin. It was given to him by a Japanese exchange student, who formerly studied with him, in the late 1960s.
Credit LineGift of Robert F. Cole, 1999
Object number06754
On View
Not on view
1900-1925 ca.
1625-1675 ca.
1900 ca.
1850 ca.