One of my purposes to visit Tokushima is to buy new Japanese flute, “Shino-bue” especially made by Mr. Ranjo who is a famous artisan. It is difficult to buy his flute even in Tokyo. So I visited the long-established instrument shop “Okachu” in Tokushima.
Shino-bue, Japanese Flutes
Shino-bue is one of the most traditional types of flute in Japan. It is typically
made of bamboo, a common indigenous material found in many areas in the country. Shino-bue is remarkable for its very simple structure. It comes in many different colors like red, brown, and black but the most usual one is actually the most natural as well, and that is the tan-colored Shino-bue. It is the color of bamboo when it dries. Some shino-bue has 6 holes, while others may have 7 or more (not including the mouthpiece). By covering some of the holes and by keeping some open, you can make many lovely notes.
Visiting Okachu
I was impatient to go Okachu, because I wanted to get new Shino-bue as soon as possible. But it was closed the first day… So I visited there next day again!
Hardest thing to me was to check the tone of Shino-bue there. I have to play it in front of many people… It was really embarrassing! After I checked the tone, I finally got two Shino-bue there.
I went to Karaoke box to use new Shino-bue the next day I came back to Tokyo because I couldn’t wait until next practice! They are fantastic! I can make higher tone easily compared to the old one. Now I enjoy playing them. The travel to Tokushima is unforgettable for me because I finally got great one there.
Shino-bue, Japanese Flutes
Shino-bue is one of the most traditional types of flute in Japan. It is typically
made of bamboo, a common indigenous material found in many areas in the country. Shino-bue is remarkable for its very simple structure. It comes in many different colors like red, brown, and black but the most usual one is actually the most natural as well, and that is the tan-colored Shino-bue. It is the color of bamboo when it dries. Some shino-bue has 6 holes, while others may have 7 or more (not including the mouthpiece). By covering some of the holes and by keeping some open, you can make many lovely notes.
Visiting Okachu
I was impatient to go Okachu, because I wanted to get new Shino-bue as soon as possible. But it was closed the first day… So I visited there next day again!
Hardest thing to me was to check the tone of Shino-bue there. I have to play it in front of many people… It was really embarrassing! After I checked the tone, I finally got two Shino-bue there.
I went to Karaoke box to use new Shino-bue the next day I came back to Tokyo because I couldn’t wait until next practice! They are fantastic! I can make higher tone easily compared to the old one. Now I enjoy playing them. The travel to Tokushima is unforgettable for me because I finally got great one there.
