Nohkan flute, susudake bamboo round pipe, Japanese paper Nohkan case lacquered, by Yujiro Koike, master flute craftsman and director of Shinonokai.

This is a listing for a top-quality Nohkan flute crafted from carefully selected susudake (smoked bamboo). The artist preferred round pipes, finished without splitting the bamboo, believing that this method resulted in a more uniform resonance and a clearer tone compared to the eight-split method.

This particular flute features a rattan wrap (tou no onimaki) and is otherwise identical in craftsmanship and quality to flutes made with cherry bark. It was one of several Nohkan flutes intended to be passed on to the late Master Hozan Saemon. While primarily made for Nagauta, the way the throat is shaped allows for it to be played without issue in Noh performances.

The flute case was also handmade by the artist, crafted from Japanese paper and finished with lacquer. This is a supreme masterpiece, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to detail.

This is an exceptional offering at a special clearance price, unheard of for its time. Flutes with cases are rare, and once this stock is gone, Nohkan flutes alone will be offered at the same price. We hope you will consider this limited opportunity.

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The late Yujiro Koike, a master shakuhachi maker who studied under Master Hyakunosuke Fukuhara and later became a Living National Treasure, Master Hozan Saemon, is said to have been impressed by and favored his instruments. Several of his posthumous works, which were awaiting delivery to Master Hozan Saemon, have been discovered in perfect condition. The wish of those involved is that these instruments reach the hands of someone who can appreciate the value of his technique and sound.

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

While some details of his techniques are unknown as the artist has passed away, we have meticulously selected only those items with notes indicating they are his own work and of the highest quality, and their sound has been confirmed.

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

This is an opportunity to acquire a flute with a beautiful tone and appearance, and above all, one that is easy to play. While we have some stock, these are posthumous works and are limited in number. Please consider purchasing while they are available.

During his lifetime, a special exhibition was held at the Numazu Imperial Villa to celebrate the birth of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, featuring Urashima no Mai and Gagaku Performance and The World of Yujiro Koike's Flutes, where he presented his own shakuhachi performance.

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 confirm and respond to the best of our ability.