The Bell Shakuhachi – Cast Jinashi and Jimori

The Bell Shakuhachi difference – from my hands to yours

• Handcrafted by me from eco-friendly materials – all other plastic shakuhachi on the market are mass produced in factories from unsustainable plastics or they’re made by 3D printers. By contrast, I craft each Bell Shakuhachi myself from my eco-composite of bamboo and bio-resin. To make them, I’ve perfected the art and science of silicone molding for nearly two decades. This gives my Bell Shakuhachi fingerprint level detail that no other methods can even come close to.
• The only cast copies of natural bamboo bore Jinashi and Jimori – all other plastic, wood, and metal shakuhachi have human made Jiari type bores which are not found in bamboo naturally. My Bell Shakuhachi are fingerprint level replicas of my professional level, natural bamboo bore instruments, but at a fraction of the cost.
• Unparalleled classic bamboo aesthetic – no other plastic, wood, or metal shakuhachi even come close. My Bell Shakuhachi look like bamboo. Each one has unique colorations which I achieve by hand. They inspire you to pick them up and they lend seamless optics for performers.
• The most worry free shakuhachi that will never crack and no joints to worry about breaking or leaking – unlike bamboo and wood, my Bell Shakuhachi will never crack or split. Many other shakuhachi also have troublesome joints which are prone to breaking and leaking. This renders the instruments unplayable until repaired. My Bell Shakuhachi have no joints to worry about.
• Lifetime, heirloom shakuhachi – all of these things make my Bell Shakuhachi heirlooms that will take you from the beginning of your journey all the way to mastery. They’ll always be out and ready for you to make them sing. Truly, they stand out from the rest in every way.

Story of the Bell Shakuhachi

Since 2007, my world renowned Bell Shakuhachi have been the first and only copies of natural bamboo bore shakuhachi (Jinashi and Jimori). I’ve sold hundreds worldwide to both beginners and masters alike.

Composites and flutes are among the most ancient works of humanity—my Bell Shakuhachi marry these venerable creations. It all began with my copying of a bamboo Jinashi shakuhachi bore and casting of it into another piece of bamboo, becoming the first person in the world to ever do so. From then to now, I utilize silicone molding which delivers fingerprint level detail that no other methods can even come close to. After much hard work, in 2012 I finalized my first full copy, inside and out, of a Jinashi shakuhachi.

Examples/tests of silicone molding and casting, 2013

Bell Shakuhachi go live!

In 2013 I released the first Bell Shakuhachi for sale. I didn’t know how they’d be received at all 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 an eco-composite of bamboo fiber and resin to replace the jet black resin I was using.

After an incredible amount of work, I released the new Bell Shakuhachi in 2018 which far exceeded the popularity of the first. It sold hundreds of copies worldwide until 2022 when I had to end production because it was too draining on me, even with a hired helper. As of 2023, however, 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 Shakuhachi 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