8-Hole Rare Shinobue, Made by Yujiro Koike, Master Flute Maker and Head of Shinonokai

This is a listing for a seven-hole shakuhachi (A440 Hz) crafted from carefully selected bamboo. We plan to list other tunings as they are organized.

All of our listings are genuine, professional-grade shinobue flutes that are also very easy to play for beginners, making them ideal for improving your skills.

Below is an introduction to the maker and the flute.
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This is a posthumous work by the late Yujiro Koike, a renowned shinobue maker who studied under Master Hyakunosuke Fukuhara and was later praised and favored by the Living National Treasure Saemon Hozan. Multiple works, still in perfect condition, were discovered after his passing. The wish of those involved is that these flutes reach the hands of someone who can appreciate the value of his technique and sound.

Using his unique techniques, not only can classical melodies be played with standard blowing, but the use of meri and kari (pitch bending techniques) allows for playing in the Western scale, enabling sessions with Western instruments. Furthermore, the meticulously calculated and beautiful hole placement results in an artistic masterpiece.

The shape of the holes significantly impacts ease of blowing, finger coverage, and sound quality. Those familiar with his flutes would reportedly visit repeatedly while awaiting their completion.

We will carefully select and list flutes that have been confirmed to be in beautiful condition, with excellent sound and appearance, and free from cracks. Due to the delicate nature of these items, please understand that returns cannot be accepted. All flutes are made from the highest quality, carefully selected bamboo.

Although some details of his techniques are unknown as the maker has passed away, we have carefully selected only those marked as his own work, of the highest quality, and have confirmed their sound.

To share the beautiful sound with as many people as possible, we have decided to list them on Mercari. We may be unfamiliar with some aspects of this platform, but we will respond with sincerity.

This is an opportunity for both those who know of his work and those who do not, to acquire a flute with a beautiful sound and appearance, and above all, ease of play. While we have some stock, these are posthumous works and are therefore limited in quantity. Please consider purchasing while they are available.

During his lifetime, Yujiro Koike performed his own shinobue music at a special exhibition at the Numazu Imperial Villa, celebrating the birth of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, in a program titled Urayasu no Mai and Gagaku Performance and The World of Yujiro Koike's Shinobue.

It has been 13 years since his passing, and his website has been closed. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and we will do our best to answer them based on the information we have.