Tools

手袋写真 《Gloves》
Thin leather is best, because you can feel what you're doing through the material. Suede or buckskin are not suitable, as it bunches up when you tighten plastic fishing wire around the instrument.

切り出し写真 《Knives》
The best kind of knife is a Japanese knife called kiridashi, the short one seems to be able to handle more delicate work.
The middle, brown knife, measuring 175 mm. is also useful.
The knife on the left acts like a file, having a thickness of about 1 mm. Its edgeis very sharp and useful.

テグス写真 《Fishing line》
I always use dacron fishing line, sized number 8 or 10 (these are the Japanese sizes). Size 10 measures 0.52 mm. Some people use size 6, fastened very tightly.

ヘラ写真 《Spatula》
This is used in the tuning process. These spatula are the same as found in the dentist's office.

ヤスリ写真 《File》&《Drill》
The file is used in the final fine tuning process. The drill is used to open up the two extra holes in the 7 holed shakuhachi.

パテ・アロンアルファ写真 《Putty》&《Super-glue》
I always use regular wood putty, like you would use to repair furniture.