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Hi all, I just made a bunch Chikusing utaguchi caps today to fill a few orders. I told the buyers they could make them themselves easily because I was sort of swamped, but they preferred that I make them.
If you want to make these yourself, it's quite easy. All you need are these materials:
Semi heavy leather
Strong scissors
Thick cord/rope ( I use 2mm leather cord).
1/8" leather hole punch
Hammer
Scrap wood surface or the Yellow Pages.
Start with this as a rough shape. After you've made one for your flute, you can make the neccessary adjustments since each piece of bamboo is different. This piece is made for a standard size 1.8. It measures 4 1/4" across and 3 1/4" top to bottom.
After you get the piece cut, you can hand wrap it around the flute to mark off areas that are too big or wide to trim. Or, if the piece is too small, you'll have to recut a larger one.
When it feels right (it's all about feeling isn't it), just pound out the holes as they are in this photo - six on each side and seven on the top.
Here's how I start the threading. Pull the cord even at the ends.
Start with one side and when you get to the middle of the top, start on the second side.
Criss cross the threading in the back and tie any knot you wish. No more metal snap button rubbing against the back of the flute.
The front of the cap on the flute. I found that once the cap wears in a bit, you'll never need to tie and untie the knot. It'll slip on and off quite snug, like an old baseball mit.
Here's the order filled for a for teacher with a bunch of Jinashi flutes too large for commercially made shakuhachi caps. You are only limited by your materials.
Let's protect our friends who can not protect themselves,
Perry
Added Nov 16, 2006:
I was just informed by a seasoned craftsman that using a metal hammer in a leather punch is not a good idea. A wooden mallet is better. Also, a rubber mat is better than the wood backing. These supplies and tools can be found from shoe repairs sources.
Last edited by Yungflutes (2006-11-16 11:17:02)
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Thanks Perry,
It is very generous of you to share your design with the world.
I use and endorse these caps, especially for my huge shakuhachi for which there are no commercial caps available. They are quite practical and adjustable. And they have a nice rustic look which suits jinashi flutes.
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I love my PerryCaps, too; particularly that gnarly caveman/medieval look....
eB
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Wow...funky caps. Great design; much more attractive than the standard caps with the snap on button in back. They do have a sort of medieval look, as Edo san pointed out. Great work, Perry. I'll keep them in mind for the next time I can afford to buy a shakuhachi...
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Thanks Perry.
These are very cool caps. My favorite feature is that once you adjust the fit to your particular flute, they slide on nicely.
Well done!
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Thank you so much Perry. As alwyas, you're so generous to the community. Thank you!
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I went into some uphostry shops recently and they were throwing away leather scraps and samples from old styles. I picked up a large box of pieces suitable for caps for nothing but have yet to try out Perry's design. Many thanks Perry.
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Hi All, Thanks for your kind words. What I try to give back to the community is only a tiny drop in the bucket compared to what was generously given to me by my teachers (accredited or non).
Continuing along this thread topic, I did a recent commission for a mother who wanted a shakuhachi for her son. Turns out he is a Vegan so I made a special cap. I was thinking of a material to replace my normal leather design without using pleather and recalled seeing an old cap made from a bamboo node.
I call this one the Chikucapu
Made from a cut-off of the original piece of bamboo used to make the flute.
The bottom is made from a wine cork (1996 vintage California Zinfadel) wrapped in crushed purple velvet for a snug fit. I just wadded up a piece of the velvet and glued it over the top to hide the screw.
Chiku translates as bamboo in old Nihongo and Capu translates as cap in the contemporary Japanese language. I guess this is an old/new design.
Namaste and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Uhmm...as a failed vegetarian, I'm very curious to know what vegetarians and vegans substituting the bird for these days?
Namaste, Perry
Last edited by Yungflutes (2006-11-22 17:03:21)
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Happy American Thanksgiving to you, Perry. (In Canada, we celebrate it in early October.) Cool cap design -- I'm sure the mother and son will be thrilled at your thoughtfulness.
Yungflutes wrote:
What I try to give back to the community is only a tiny drop in the bucket compared to what was generously given to me by my teachers (accredited or non).
The generosity of you and all the other professionals on this forum is amazing. Thanks and a toast to all of you!
Yungflutes wrote:
Uhmm...as a failed vegetarian, I'm very curious to know what vegetarians and vegans substituting the bird for these days?
Tofurkey is a common one -- comes pressed and seasoned in a roll or loaf. Neatballs (think meatballs) of ground brown rice, chickpeas, & seasonings are good. Many great loafs can be made from lentils, rice or other grains, and some binders. And, of course, anything is better with a nice peppercorn vegan gravy. No shame in a pasta with a thoughtful sauce. Chocolate (or carob) & tofu "cream" pie or tofu "cheese" cake for dessert. And a vegan beer/wine/whiskey to cap it off.
-Darren.
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Good ideas.
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Yeah, what I usually eat for the holidays is mostly just whatever is vegetarian. I'm the only vegetarian in my family and they are kind enough to always make some vegetarian friendly things for me. By the way, what other materials would be good for the cap besides leather? I'd like to make some caps for the flutes I make. I'm not very familiar with the types of material that would work.
Chris
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You could use vinyl or naugahyde upholstery material. Lots of it is available in interesting patterns (even faux alligator, if that won't creep you out ).
Check with your local upholsterers for scraps.
eB
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Excellent stitchery!
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