getting rid of the dirt
getting rid of the dirt
What is the best way to get rid of the black stuff that is on the root end and utaguchi of some of the old shakuhachi.?
Thanks in advance,
david
Thanks in advance,
david
Please post picture examples. I'm not sure what you mean be "black stuff." If it is black urushi (Japanese lacquer) it probably should be left alone.
The bottom photo of the root looks like natural patina, perhaps some dark urushi used to polish the root by many shakuhachi makers. I couldn't say what is staining the mouthpiece but it may be urushi used to seal the top and utaguchi face. It's always a good idea to swab out the bore with a cleaning cloth, swab the inside of the holes with a Q-tip and some alcohol. Remove all the dust inside. You can also lightly wash and dry the outside of the flute with water, but you don't want to scrub too hard and disturb the natural patina. Judging by the patina, it looks like a pretty old flute. If you have a teacher nearby, show it to them.
Bamboo doesn`t get dirty, it may get dirt and grime on its skin, but thats easily wiped off. The mouthpiece has been coated with urushi, the rootend has been invaded with a natural fungus or mold under the skin of the bamboo that gives it a much sort after color or coloration by flute makers. It you remove this you will devalue your instrument. Remember the flute maker knew what he was doing, otherwise he would have cleaned it off.
It doesn't particularly look dirty. It is the colour of the bamboo. It is normal the bamboo is darker at the root end where it may have been covered with soil until it was harvested. I thought it may be the black stuff that some root end shakuhachi with a lot of root left can have... it can sit in between the roots that has been cut off... But in your case the root end has been filed so much down that this just looks like the colour of the bamboo. 
Looks like a nice one!
Looks like a nice one!
its natural patina that builds up on old flutes, aspecially jinashi.
to take it off you need to sand it but i would reccomend you just leave it as is. clean with some dishes soup or alcohol if you are worried but thats it.
to take it off you need to sand it but i would reccomend you just leave it as is. clean with some dishes soup or alcohol if you are worried but thats it.
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