The Bell Shakuhachi

Since 2007, Bell Shakuhachi have been played worldwide by beginners and masters alike. Handcrafted by me from molds of my finest shakuhachi, each Bell is cast in my worry-free bamboo eco-composite. This imparts fingerprint level detail which no other methods can match. They’ll inspire you to pick them up and they lend seamless optics for performers. All of these things and more make them lifetime, heirloom instruments that will take you from beginner, all the way to mastery.

• Worry free! Won’t crack like bamboo or wood and no joints to worry about breaking or leaking
• Master level heirloom shakuhachi at a fraction of the cost
• Unparalleled classic bamboo aesthetic with unique hand applied colorations
• Handcrafted by me from eco-friendly materials
• The world’s first and only replicas of natural bamboo bore shakuhachi (Jinashi and Jimori 地無し•地盛り)

History of my Bell Shakuhachi

Composites and flutes are among the most ancient works of humanity. My Bells marry these venerable creations. It all began in 2007 when I copied the bore of a bamboo Jinashi shakuhachi and cast it into another piece of bamboo, becoming the first person in the world to ever do so. From then to now, I utilize molding and casting which delivers fingerprint level detail that no other methods can currently match. After much hard work, in 2012 I finalized my first full copy, inside and out, of a Jinashi shakuhachi.

Bell Shakuhachi go live!

In 2013 I released the first iteration of the Bell for wide sale. I didn’t know how they’d be received by the community. Suffice to say, I awoke the next day to many orders and emails. However, it was short lived because I quickly realized I needed to refine my process for production. Additionally, I wished to develop a bamboo fiber eco-composite to replace the jet black resin I was using.

After an incredible amount of work, in 2018 I released the new Bell cast in my bamboo fiber eco-composite. The popularity of this Bell far exceeded previous modals, quickly selling hundreds of copies worldwide. However, in 2022 I had to end production because it was too draining on me, even with a hired helper. As of 2023, I thought of a new approach to molding and eco-composites which will allow me to craft Bell Shakuhachi without over taxing myself (sign up to my newsletter to stay informed).

Testimonials for the Bell c. 2018-2022

Riley Lee, Dai-Shihan ‘Grandmaster’

ESS Shakuhachi Newsletter

Ken LaCosse – Mujitsu Taimu Shakuhachi

‘We all know what’s good about bamboo. Show people what’s good about other materials. Go Jon go!’ – Ken LaCosse

Brian Tairaku Ritchie

‘The Bell Shakuhachi can be used for lessons, teaching, or performing up to the professional level. Super quality for the value. Well thought out design. Kudos to Jon for taking the initiative to produce a good instrument for the people.’ – Brian Tairaku Ritchie