This blog is dedicated to the sublime instruments called nose flutes and which produce the most divine sound ever. We have chosen to discard all the native models from S. Pacific and Asia, for they need fingering to be played. We'll concentrate on "buccal cavity driven" nose flutes : the well patented and trademarked metal or plastic ones, plus, by a condemnable indulgence, some wooden craft or home-made productions.

Jul 3, 2012

Elegant Japanese holders

We've recently presented the WIP (work-in-progress) yet radical nose flute stand imagined by Mr. Takuma Ikeyama.
Here are 2 3 very elegant versions of hanabue holders, made by Miss Sanae Maekawa. As stated by her, the second one uses a Tenugui (手拭), which is the traditional Japanese cotton towel : it is sometines used as a headband or head cover in Kendo.




[Addition : the pretty Miss Sanae wearing a Kimono, and a 3rd version of holder]

13 comments:

  1. I love the way the Tenugui makes the nose flute look part of the traditional Japanese dress, to me anyway.

    As the face gets most attraction and the nose flute is part of that, the head dress had better look really good and professional. The Tenugui does just that. I wonder how far this design could go...!

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  2. How far ? Maybe add a kimono and a pair of zori!

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  3. Hehe, I have a couple of old hachimaki that may work.

    Luis

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    1. Hey man! You are well equipped!

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    2. Hachimaki sounds fabulous, as long as it doesn't entail kamikaze hotdog eating...;-) A hakama would also surely contribute. Ms Maekawa looks stunning in the 3rd picture!

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    3. I tried a hachimaki and it did not work well. It would either cover the mouth hole or pull too much on the top against my nose, forcing the bottom away from my mouth. I think it needs some adaptation or may work with some other nose flute styles.

      One thing about hachimaki is using the typical white cotton with red sun in the middle. Which makes the user look funny, like a clown nose.

      My hachimaki is marked with what I believe means "certain victory", Which I guess means that it must work and I should keep trying.

      Luis

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  4. How about making a sturdy flute holder (such as a harmonica holder) or a frame as in spectacles: this could then be either coverered with a hachimaki, tenugui or even be painted any way you like. It would allow you to adjust yet move freely.

    I know that a simple band or strap is probably the most effective, but I am thinking from a more theatrical perspective without the clown factor. I guess this then should involve some kind of head dress, as in the 'bondage flute'...

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  5. Hachimaki worked well after folding it in half lengthwise. I guess I need a narrow hachimaki.

    I think the clown nose look is fine, Nose flute look is often funny anyway. I think that a serious look is a little harder but possible.

    keep on nosefluting!

    Luis

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    1. What has worked best as a holder for me is a cord with a bead for tightening. Feels better than an elastic or cloth band. It does need something like a slot or hole on the nose flute to stay in place.

      I am using a simple finger loop braid. For elegance and functionality I think kumihimo, made on marudai or takadai, would be great.

      Luis

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    2. Just checked on kumihimo: absolutely marvellous!

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  6. I feel I should add that Ms Maekawa solution to hands free playing indeed seems functional and elegant. I like that the bands do not have to be tied at an angle on top of the ears.

    I particularly like the Tenugui in the second picture.

    Luis

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    1. Absolutely, Luis! Particularly the second seems to fit as if it were a traditional part of the dress.

      This second Tenugui looks to be made of a thicker, higher quality material and the colour and print are very classic and elegant.

      Moreover, this Tenugui doesn't look like a highway man's or a train robber's disguise...! I feel the trick here is to make it look 'custom made' rather than 'home made'.

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