Japanese Hichiriki (篳篥) crafted by Michael Andrew Doherty

HCHRK-06 

Spoken for

HCHRK-05

Available

HCHRK-04

Spoken for

GAGAKU DOUBLE-REED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

My hichiriki are crafted from imported bamboo, from either Japan or China.  The hichiriki has a long history that begins on the mainland of China.  It is by no coincidence then that the bamboo I receive, imported from China, has the particular dimensions needed for superior hichiriki.  As an alternative, at times Japanese bamboo is used if the dimensions are suitable for hichiriki.  The bamboo has been properly dried either using a natural process of time-drying and/or utilizing a firing method that also colors the bamboo to approximate high quality bamboo traditionally used for hichiriki that has been dried and smoked over a hearth for 100 years or more. 

iThe body of my hichiriki have been carefully shaped, wrapped in cherry wood (at times birch is used as a substitute) and bound with either traditional kaba (rattan) or "American-style rattan", which is wider and thicker.  The rattan is finished with tinted lacquer.  The details of each instrument are given on its respective page (click on photos).

The bore of my hichiriki have also been meticulously shaped and tuned using special epoxy and lacquers (Western, not urishi).  My hichiriki have been tuned, after careful bore treatments in follow of the traditional methods of tuning these instruments, similar to the "spot-tuning" done with the best-made jiari shakuhachi. 

The hichiriki's shita (reed) has also been imported from Japan.

Wait time for a hichiriki is approximately 3 months, depending upon order and availability of materials.  Prices range from $350 - $600 USD.

For orders and further information please email me

Click on pictures for detailed information...