Notched flute; shakuhachi

Shakuhachi, notched flute. The bamboo pipe, species Phyllostachys reticulata, has five opened nodes, two of which form the upper and lower rims. A flat, obliquely angled surface is carved into the front of the upper rim with a shallow, round notch at its centre. Four large, round finger holes, two on each of the middle internodal sections, and one thumbhole.