Shakuhachi Flutes

Much of my attention to detail and fine craftsmanship skills can be attributed to my six year apprenticeship with Monty Levenson at Tai Hei Shakuhachi. Being arguably the top maker in the world, his ultra refined methods and guidance is what took me from ordinary handyman to the level of craftsman. The process for creating Shakuhachi is lengthy and detailed and involves the use of many traditional materials including Madake and Torachiku bamboo, Water Buffalo horn and Mastodon Ivory, 24k gold and silver, Rattan and stabilized bamboo. We also incorporate modern materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, and epoxy in a unique casting process. The bore profile of each flute is honed by hand to the 100th of a millimeter. The bindings and blowing edges are inlaid by hand. The final result yields instruments used by professional musicians around the world. By the end of my apprenticeship, I had personally made over 100 flutes start to finish, with the exception of the final tuning which was carried out by Monty himself.