Kodama Hiroyuki shows how to make jinashi shakuhachi

Kodama Hiroyuki is a great jinashi shakuhachi player. He is a student of Okuda Atsuya. He studied jinashi shakuhachi making with Okuda and Murai Eigoro, and today is one of the key makers of this style of shakuhachi. In this video he will take you through the basic jinashi shakuhachi making process. Although a short film cannot show all the detailed and delicate parts of the making prcess, requiring a great deal of intuition, you can clearly get a sense of how someone as experienced as Kodama works with the bamboo in dialogue and respect. It is also easy to feel his spirit and approach to life as well as bamboo and nature.
PS. Please subscribe to my channel ;)

[@melonenstrauch1306]

Thank you for this video, It is just what I needed! Other videos are either quite short and skip over some steps or they are not translated. This howwever is very thorough and explains every step. Kodama Hiroyuki seems like a very calm and wise man who greatly enjoys his craft. Not only was watching this video a pleasure, I also managed to finally make a shakuhachi.

[@KikuDay]

That is so nice to hear! Thank you for sharing! Yes, Kodama is a wonderful person!

[@garoproudian9722]

v ery good😂

[@garoproudian9722]

thank you...

[@yurysharov4499]

Making musical instruments is as much of an art as playing them. Thank you!

[@KikuDay]

It certainly is!

[@maxaudibert5793]

Amazing he freely showed all the process! Thank you from Greenland

[@iulemag13]

it is only recently that I discovered that the name kodama derives from Japanese folklore and that it means "spirit that lives in trees". A well suited name for a special man. I loved his Jinashi workshop in Lisbon. Such a good energy within his playing. This video took me back in time to that same workshop and to my first lessons. Can´t wait to see my shakuhachi friends and my jinashi Sensei again. Bravo Kodama. Thank you Kiku for this video.

[@KikuDay]

Hello Julio. Thank you for your message. Kodama is wonderful. I just have to correct you in one thing. Although the name of kodama, the tree spirits have the same sound, the characters are different from his family name. Tree spirit is written 木霊 and literally means tree spirits. Kodama's family name is written 児玉 and is a common name . The characters mean: 児 = child and 玉 = ball/sphere.

[@iulemag13]

@@KikuDay Thank you Kiku for the information. : ) One day i will learn how to read these amazing characters. There is so much useful information on the honkyoku sheets besides the notes of the shakuhachi.

[@Oni_SmokeCG]

WORKSHOP IN LISBON!? WH- WHAAAATT?! when was it? I'm Portuguese too and I'm looking for more information on everything Shakuhachi, how do you know these workshops are going to happen? Um pouco de informação salvaria bastante tempo🤌 obrigado

[@iulemag13]

@@Oni_SmokeCG pesquisa pela European Shakuhachi Society. É lá que vejo as informações dos workshops, aulas e eventos.

[@Oni_SmokeCG]

@@iulemag13 muito obrigado!!!

[@normanfreund]

Wonderful video, had to chuckle when he came to determining the first finger hole placement, up until now he used all these lovely hand tools, then out comes the electronic calculator :) .

[@KikuDay]

Haha! That is right...

[@samueljean996]

I totally felt in phase with his way. It really resonated deeply and helped me to understand what was the incomfort I had with the jiari I played. The kindness of both of you (beyound the camera and in front of it) really create a space thas was beyound a youtube tutorial. The way of getting rid of control over the bamboo and to deepen the time reflection and the echo between the blow and the grass was delightfull. どうもうありがとう

[@KikuDay]

Dear Samuel. It is great to hear you enjoyed the video! That makes it worth making. So thank you for your comment!

[@Nachtuil36]

Amazing !!! We can recognize a true master from the simplicity of his tools and the fine sensing of each factor in the making of this shakuhachi !

[@bgallasch]

I feel much of respect for this great master craftsman

[@ratman262]

27:27 "hold the bamboo tightly with your food" Instructions unclear, got a slim jim stuck in the bore of my shakuhachi

[@KikuDay]

He said in one of the times that one should put a little stick inside so you don't make a hole acoss with the drill. Is that what you are referring to?

[@Buonarotti10]

@@KikuDay Just American humor.

[@eugeniosolari]

yes, great video, Hirokuyi so concerned in passing by his knowledge and experience; I am beginning to do my first shakuhachi ever (we must be very close age) and I feel profound admirance for Japan's skillful traditions in all posible ways. Thank you so much.

[@justplayflute]

Wow, thank you for this Kiku and Kodama! What a craftsman! I applied and hope to make a jinashi flute (or the start of one, as I now learned) at the workshop during ESS Summer school in Dublin this year. I´ll rewatch this video several times before then for sure. Much appreciated 🙏

[@KikuDay]

That is great! José, who will do the workshop is really good too! 😊

[@justplayflute]

Can´t wait! 😊

[@jourdainhiini6548]

I'm just finished making my third shakuhachi..your video was very helpful. Arigato Gozaimasu. Watching from Australia.

[@KikuDay]

I am so glad!!! Thanks for watching and good luck with your making process!

[@ArnoPf]

Hiroyuki san, thanks a lot for taking us through the journey of skills and considerations creating this Shakuhachi flute respecting what the bamboo is telling step after step. It is actually revealing the hidden spirit of the bamboo into a beautiful instrument. I also liked your remark not to expect everything from the flute since a part of the playing and sound has to come from the player.

[@dougk8103]

Wonderful job here. You are a great craftsman, and teacher as well.

[@KikuDay]

Yes, Kodama is amoazing!

[@BertholdHinrichs]

ahhhh.. enjoyed it very much.. good guy.. and good to see i made things right even if nobody showed me...

[@KikuDay]

Good to know you make shakuhachi :)

[@quochuync]

I make bamboo flutes (not Shakuhachi) but I learn a lot of techniques from this video. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge in flute making.

[@KikuDay]

That is great to hear!!! Thanks for viewing!

[@velvetradio]

thank you for the subtitles...i love seeing passionate artists and craftspeople work. Its nice to understand. thank you for sharing this treasure.

[@KikuDay]

Thank you! Let us know when you make one :)

[@outaspaceman3641]

Thank you. This is beautiful and immensely helpful. I have made shakuhachi before, but not how I will make them from now on. I have learned to speak and listen to the bamboo. Thank you.

[@KikuDay]

That is great. Please let me know how it goes! :)

[@IceLocus]

Excellent video! I'll be making my first shakuhachi soon, so these tips are fantastic! 🙏🎶✨️

[@miroevermoss]

This video is pure gem 🙏🏽 Thank you so much

[@philippewallner2741]

Your presence and explaination are really nice and make me dream.

[@nicolaskiss6108]

Thank you a lot! I'm so glad to own two from him, such wonderful shakuhachi!

[@KikuDay]

Yeah, his flutes are great!

[@nicolaskiss6108]

He is too :-D

[@nikkimcelroy3776]

I'm thinking about making my daughter one of these from a bamboo patch my landlord is cutting down .. I lived in Kyoto Japan in 1983 to late 1984 and had a Siamese kitten that we named skosh❤ wish I could go back there sometime .. thanks for the video it's very educational and relaxing

[@soundekspression9132]

wow.... I love shakuhachi ferry nice sound, I come from Indonesia maybe some time I coming to Japan for learning this Instrument. I Hope

[@krischnakrischna]

thanks for this profound philosophical lecture....my salutations...

[@KikuDay]

He is great, isn’t he?

[@krischnakrischna]

@@KikuDay indeed...🙏...

[@אחאבבולי]

גם בארצי הקטנה ישראל יש קהל גדול המוקסם תמיד מהאומנים היפנים מדהים תודה לך יפן

[@Dust399]

Very respect....

[@KikuDay]

🙏

[@tomasdada8136]

Thanks Kiku for this document... Its so helpful and specially beautiful... What a great sensei Kodama is!!! Respect 🙏🏿💚

[@KikuDay]

Hi Tomas, yes he is absolutely something special, my senpai.

[@noritakataniguchi266]

菊さん、貴重な動画をありがとうございます。 コロナが収まったら菊さんの虚鐸生で聞きたいです。

[@KikuDay]

Taniguchi様、ありがとうございます。一緒に吹きましょう！

[@noritakataniguchi266]

@@KikuDay さん 二尺より長いのが吹きたいのですが、何寸を作ると良いでしょうか？

[@KikuDay]

@@noritakataniguchi266 それは人いろいろだと思います。手の大きさと腕の長さ、体が柔らかいか。でも、ご自分で作れるのでは色々試してみたらいかがでしょうか？２尺２寸、２尺３すんから初めて…

[@noritakataniguchi266]

@@KikuDay さん 2尺までは持っていますが、それより長いものは未経験です。 地無も未経験です。 まずは、塩ビ管か何かで試作してみます。

[@KikuDay]

@@noritakataniguchi266 ガンバッテクダサイ ☺️

[@icefox7022]

This is very inspiring, i will try to make one with the bamboo from my father's botanical garden.

[@KikuDay]

Let us know how it goes!

[@perchta0]

Give this man a proper microphone and he will be the next bob ross believe me

[@dutchvanweerd1204]

Blessings for me, a beginner player of the heavenly Shakuhachi. The tone provided by that length is ❤heart warming.

[@KikuDay]

It's wonderful in this length, isn't it?

[@dutchvanweerd1204]

@@KikuDay 🥰 thank you. I truly agree. For me, lots of knowledge, I am fine that I cried.

[@toshmagicbamboosound5766]

🙏💓 Arigato gosai mas

[@MattCantSpeakIt]

Where would one go to source a bambo culm (right word?) like this in Canada? I LOVE the sound of a Shakuhachi... Making my own would be sooo cool. I have absolutely no idea where I could find a piece of bamboo like this though...

[@KikuDay]

Try to ask in the group Amateur Shakuhachi Makers on Facebook. facebook.com/groups/264821740892169

[@Crytoma]

Very educative, thanks for this.

[@leewmlee]

Thank you very much for making this very informative video. I've always wanted to try to make one but I couldn't find the measurements.

[@KikuDay]

There should be measurements floating on internet. Good luck with it.

[@leewmlee]

@@KikuDay yes, i meant to say I couldn’t find the measurements until I saw this video. Then i understood how to do the measurements. It’s so generous of Kodama-san to share his knowledge.

[@KikuDay]

@@leewmlee that is great 😊

[@totesnotsyn5704]

How long does the bamboo have to dry for before you can start making this?

[@KikuDay]

Usually you say minimum 3 years. But I have tried many times to harvest in November - do the aburanuki (you heat the bamboo up and wipe the oils that come ut on the surface off), dry it in the sun for some month (taking the bamboo indoors at night), - and make the flutes around May next year. So after about 6 month. I think it is pushing it a little - but I haven't yet had problems. When the bamboo is this fresh one has to be careful about mould after making the flute. I hope this is useful.

[@totesnotsyn5704]

@@KikuDay It’s extremely useful, どもありがと！

[@tawantinsuyoopinaii572]

Master he has done well!

[@tawantinsuyoopinaii572]

Will like to come in contact with you i play also music

[@KhuatChinh]

thank you for your sharing and your subtiles :)

[@KikuDay]

He is great, isn't he? :)

[@KhuatChinh]

@@KikuDay Yes, Madam. i am learning how to make a jinashi my self. And this video is so useful to me. Thank you so much!!! 🙏

[@KikuDay]

@@KhuatChinh My pleasure!

[@HealthCareProvder]

Love from India ❤️👍👌

[@KikuDay]

Love back ❤

[@ajtchapel11]

Fascinerende indblik i mesterens arbejde, tak for at vi kunne kigge med..

[@ajtchapel11]

Skønt at opleve mesterens nænsomhed og ømhed i processen

[@KikuDay]

@@ajtchapel11 Ja, det er skønt, er det ikke? :) Tak for at kikke med!

[@OWR_Mission]

the garibo part had me shook : l

[@hairielezam8596]

What kind or species of bamboo did you use? Thanks

[@KikuDay]

Madake in Japanese (Phyllostachys bambsoides)

[@hairielezam8596]

@@KikuDay ありはとございます👍

[@josuefox]

Very great documentary ! Thank you both for doing that. I am more a shinobue "player" (I just have started) , I think shakuhachi is a great flute but so expensive even for entry level :(

[@KikuDay]

Yes, the price can be a problem. It is possible to get an inexpensive PVC shakuhachi. Not very charming surely.... but it can get you started. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙏

[@josuefox]

@@KikuDay Indeed ^^ But even plastic one are "expensive". Yuu shakuhachi $165, it's holes in a plastic !! That's exagerated. It's more like we pay a brand or the reputation of the instrument more than the object. That said, I can find it on mejiro website for 95 euros thanks to the yen. I will try.

[@KikuDay]

@josuefox Yeah, that is why I never recommend a you. I always recommend to begin with an inexperience water pipe shakuhachi. They are fine to begin with.

[@김승겸-x7p]

Sakuhachi is a very attractive instrument. I know that you paint inside when making Sakuhachi, can you explain about it?

[@Hogobadaba]

Jinashi are left natural. You’re thinking of a jiari shakuhachi

[@kubik6646]

Fascinating! 👏🙏🍀☺

[@terrellmabrito]

Amazing craftsman and beautiful instruments! I do have a cultural question that is a bit unrelated to the focus if the video. I cannot remember the name for the Japanese style of sitting, but I did not realize that it permateated even into professions. Is this common for craftsman and other trades that allow for this lower working height?

[@KikuDay]

They are basically just used to sit like this. They can change between cross-legged and seiza. It seems to be quite natural to many Japanese. But not all. :) Sharp eye! ;)

[@ivromanch]

Thanks for this awesome video!

[@KikuDay]

You are welcome!

[@HealthCareProvder]

Nice 👌👍 Full length of flute bamboo i think 87.33 centimetre (34.38 Inches) First hole from bottom to upside is 22.1% =19.29 centimetre (7.59 inch)approx So 2nd hole (second hole) I cannot understand should be placed please explain it and 3rd and 4rth where it should be placed and after that behind thumb hole measurement ??😊

[@pedrova8058]

mark the first hole (at 22.1% L ), then you mark the 2nd at "1/10 of the total length" (that is, at 8.73cms (1/10 of 87) measured from the 1st hole) 3rd and 4th the same , you always measure 1/10 of L (in your example, 8,73cms) from the previous hole (plus/minnus some mm). The 5th at 7,5% L (6,5cm from the 4th in your example)

[@HealthCareProvder]

@@pedrova8058 please write full information of measurement of the flute in easy language gradually in easy way 👍 thanks in india no one knows how to make shakuhachi Bamboo flute so it's my request to you please tell me all information about flute in writing in English language thank you very much 😊❤️👍

[@AngryCalls]

@@HealthCareProvderthere are complete instructions in one of the comments. Just find it.

[@haroldhighfield7629]

Wonderful video. Is he drilling through the nodes first and then pounding them with the garibo, or is he pounding straight through all the interior nodes?

[@KikuDay]

He is only "drilling" with a special drill-like tool in the bottom end where the bamboo is solid. Otherwise he uses the garibō to pound through the nodes inside the bamboo.

[@fitordgz]

Arigatou sensei!

[@okinau]

This is really awesome. But I feel like I’m missing a really important part. How do you determine how long to make the flute for what scale you want? For example D.

[@KikuDay]

In case of jinashi shakuhachi, the nature determined the pitch since you bird them from node to node. And then it is a question about making the flute being in tune with itself. Otherwise the common lengths and pitches are: 1.8 = D, 1.9 = C#, 2.0 = C, 2.1 = B, 2.2 = Bb etc. 1.8 = 54.54 cm. There is an online Shaku to cm converter. However, it is not only the length that determines the pitch - also the width of the bore. Also jinashi shakuhachi tends to be lower than the globe measures as the bore is wider than the jinuri/jiari because there is no extra material inside the bore.

[@hiroki7280]

素晴らしい動画をありがとうございます。 質問なのですが、歌口と指孔を削るヤスリはどの様なものを使用しておられるのでしょうか？ 木工用のもので大丈夫でしょうか？ 半円、丸形など形状も教えていただけるとありがたいです。

[@KikuDay]

質問ありがとうございます。歌口には平のやすり。荒いのから細かいのを使います。指穴のやすり丸いの使います。それで大丈夫ですか？もっと細かいことですか？

[@hiroki7280]

@@KikuDay 様、返信ありがとうございます。 ヤスリは目の種類、細かさなどお分かりでしょうか？ 追加で質問させていただきたいのですが 菅尻の穴の直径はどのくらい開けるのが良いのでしょうか？ また、指孔の位置には十割半、九割半、九割などがありますがこれらはそれぞれどの様なメリット、デメリットがあるのでしょうか？ 厚かましいですが、もしよろしければお答えよろしくお願いいたします。

[@OmegaRacer]

thank you very much for this video!

[@KikuDay]

You are welcome!

[@GeoffreySmithbreath]

Love the socks!

[@RobMonty248]

would like a good source that has low priced bamboo blanks, if you can share any? thanks

[@KikuDay]

I must admit, bamboo from Japan is always expensive.. I mean very expensive. It will be best for you to look for Chinese suppliers if you need the price to be low. Unfortunately, I don't know any.

[@RobMonty248]

@@KikuDay Thank you, yea, ive found that as well. I have USA sources, but its not madake... Its good bamboo, i just never have had any Japanese bamboo. =)

[@KikuDay]

@@RobMonty248 great to hear that you have found a good source of bamboo in the US. Good luck with it!

[@PakEF-j15]

How long should the bamboo dry for because i just harvested some and i wanted to know

[@icefox7022]

i've read that it takes about 8 - 10 years to fully dry

[@HealthCareProvder]

Please write all the measurements of shakuhachi in the discription please😊

[@KikuDay]

I can see your point. Thank you for the feedback! I can do that when I have time at some point. Otherwise it is in the subtitles.

[@HealthCareProvder]

@@KikuDay ok Sir please update the measurements 👍❤️

[@leewmlee]

Here's the notes that I took down. The total length is about 80cm - 2 Shaku 6 Sun 3 Bu. 22.1% of entire length - 1st hole from bottom (top) 10% + (1-1.5mm); 2nd hole from 1st hole (top) 10% - (1-1.5mm); 3rd hole from 2nd hole (top) 10% + (2-3mm); 4th hole from 3rd hole (top) 7.5% of entire length; 5th/thumb hole from 4th hole (bottom) use a paper strip go round, mark where paper end meet to get circumference of tube, fold in half. That will be exact opposite side. Double check all markings. 1,2,4,5 Finger hole is 10.5mm diameter. 3 Finger hole is 10mm diameter. Use a Forstner bit. Put a dowel/stick inside to prevent drilling to other side. Test hole positions for ease of finger placement, offset if needed. eg: hole 3 offset 3mm to the left. Utaguchi, 1mm above bore of tube. Try not to angle too flat, else cannot adjust. About 30 degrees; up to you. Cut with saw and file with rasp. Leave some node below the utaguchi.

[@AngryCalls]

@@leewmleeYou’re an angel. Thank you! 🙏🏼 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cnclathe21]

The thumb hole measurements are a little bit off :/... Total length is 79,68cm and the master say 7,5% of total length that is 5,97cm but the 1sun 9bu 5nin are 5,25cm...

[@KikuDay]

Thank you for your reply. Right now I can't remember if there was a calculation mistake in there that was later corrected. But also I think it all depends on the width. He changed a little some places because he had experience that changing a bit gives better results. Also there are several ways of calculating. So this is not an ultimate way. :)

[@RLScheurman]

i have goat horns from myotonics and im curious if a similar mouthpiece could be done without bamboo, and still produce a sound

[@RLScheurman]

like that style "reed" but entirely horn, like a bukkehorn

[@KikuDay]

@@RLScheurman do you mean if you make an oblique cut in a horn like on the bamboo? If the shape of the horn is ok I am sure. I have done it with bone flutes. Works fine. :)

[@LeeOliveira-k1j]

こんにちは！質問があるのですが、チューニングにはどのアプリケーションを使用していますか?

[@KikuDay]

チューナーのことですか？どれでもいいですよ。場合によって４４０Hzに合わせる時もあるし、西洋の楽器のあわせるのでしたら４４２Hzが良いかもしれません。

[@nxu9163]

hello，，is remove all the bamboo knots in the middle？

[@KikuDay]

Inside you mean? Not necessarily.

[@KikuDay]

Of course you need a hole through...

[@finelinerin]

🙏🏻✨️

[@oldmanrene-love2flute]

🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘 💠 🔘 🔘 🔘 🔘

[@11SPCTRL]

cuales son las medidas?

[@Thedailydrawchannel]

How much does Kodama Hiroyuki for a flute to be made?

[@KikuDay]

You mean how much he charges?

[@Thedailydrawchannel]

@@KikuDay Yes sorry, that's what I meant, how much doe he charge for a flute

[@KikuDay]

@@Thedailydrawchannel it depends on the flute. You can email me: kikuday{at}gmail{dot}com and I can tell you a little more. I don't sell myself but I do help people who want to get in contact with him.

[@Thedailydrawchannel]

@@KikuDay ok

[@AREZo75]

You can not judge a shakuhatchi if you have not heard jinashi

[@KikuDay]

You may be right about that. :)

[@サスケチムドンドン]

歌口の節が全部抜けてしまったら、駄目ですか？

[@KikuDay]

歌口の節が全部抜けてしまったら入れ替えることはできます。KZbinでやり方は見つけられると思いますが、プロにしてもらったのうが安心です、歌口のことでしたら。児玉さんは歌口に何も入れていませんが、尺八が壊れたら治すことはできます。

[@高谷道雄]

まだまだ混ぜ方が足りてませんよ🤔もっともっとネバリが出ます🙅

[@ketsohuang6663]

可笑之至！在中國是很普通的東西，倭人學習中國文化二千年，但只是其中的一部份而以！你們在搞啥？這也拿的出來？都還有 場景 造型 的，哈哈哈哈哈！