Working
with Bamboo
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Madake bamboo roots used for shakuhachi
seldom grows naturally to a perfect shape. Almost all pieces
require straightening. The bamboo is heated and placed under
pressure to alter its shape. The root end of the shakuhachi tends
to curve as it emerges from the soil. This curvature is part
of the traditional aesthetic and is sometimes fashioned in this
manner. |
 |
The modern shakuhachi
is made with a precision bore that is conical in shape. The inside
of the flute is tapered in diameter from the top down. It is
no accident that the madake root exhibits a natural taper as
well. This may account for the evolution of the shakuhachi made
from root bamboo which occurred late in the history of the instrument.
In this photo the root - nearly solid inside - is being drilled
open. |
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Drilling the finger holes
in the bamboo requires specially designed bits. The one pictured
here was ground and re-ground over three years of trial-and-error
(mostly the latter). |
 |
Me and the bamboo. (I'm
the one with the eyeglasses.) |
Photo
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