Earlier this year, the Indy Flute Shop and Paige’s Music became a Shokunin Select Dealer. What does Shokunin mean? Yamaha phrases it as:
Shokunin
(sho-ku-neen) Japanese (n) craftsman, artisan.
“The Japanese word shokunin is defined by both Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries as ‘craftsman’ or ‘artisan,’ but such a literal description does not fully express the deeper meaning. The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people.”- Toshio Odate
At Paige’s Music and the Indy Flute Shop, we feature Yamaha’s highest quality instruments elegantly crafted by Yamaha’s finest luthiers. In the process of designing each Shokunin instrument, each instrument serves as a laboratory for new designs, new features, and a new approach the instrument itself. These instruments are the most innovative and are often the birthplace for features that you will see across the Yamaha range in the future.
So what does that mean for flute players? Well, the Indy Flute Shop has been carrying several flute members of the Shokunin line for several years now with the 577 and 677 flute models. As you may already know, The 500 and 600 series combine the brillance of nickel silver with the characteristic mellow timbres of sterling silver, while the 700 series delivers warmth and expressive color that only the finest silver flutes can provide.
All models come with hand-finished headjoints based on the Type A headjoints supplied with the 800 and 900 series handmade flutes. The keys feature traditional pointed key arms, reflecting the highest level of craftsmanship and adding visual elegance to these outstanding instruments. The 600 and 700 series instruments also feature Straubinger Phoenix pads and a heavy-wall thickness. Come to the shop to try them for yourself!