THE KODO BLOG

Here is a 2 piece, root end, jiari shakuhachi I made Jiari refers to the plaster-of-paris like paste that is applied inside the bore of the flute. "Ji" means paste and "ari" refers to something existing or being present (arimass). Rather than relying on the natural walls of the bamboo, the inside of the flute is (usually) fabricated from a combination of tonoko powder and urushi lacquer.  After it dries, it is given a final shape, then coated in lacquer.  It's a long process but it produces a uniform sound for ensemble musicians.  I don't make too many as I...

When I'm making things like shakuhachi or shinobue, I need very specialized tools that just aren't available commercially. My choices are limited to either making it myself or having someone custom make it for me.  If I have someone else make it, it's never really exactly what I want so, really,  my only choice is to make it myself.  These small carving knives are essential when I'm cutting an inlay for a shakuhachi mouth piece or widening an emboucher hole or even under cutting a tone hole for tuning. 

I keep my most used planes at arm's reach from my bench.   I think my last tally was 25 hand planes in my shop but I only use half a dozen regularly and only two or three on a daily basis. 

I bought this mallet years ago for 3 bucks (plus a 20 percent coupon) at harbor freight.  It came with this crappy, small rubber handle that, not only looked cheap, but had terrible ergonomics.  I cut it off, drilled out a piece of iron bamboo and attached the iron bamboo with regular wood glue as a new handle.  Wow! Completely different look, feel and performance!  I'm completely happy with it now and use it daily!  I highly recommend picking one up and modifying the handle.   For just a few dollars, you'll have an effective and efficient tool that will serve...