This flute is made to the same specifications as the Shishida and Maruyama shinobue flutes. This flute has smaller finger holes, making it easier to play, and the high and very high notes resonate well. The very high notes sound particularly good. Even women can play this flute without being outdone in volume or tone quality by men's shinobue flutes. It has the best sound among Japanese transverse flutes. Differences from the Wakabue (Japanese flute): While the Wakabue only produces very high notes, the Ryusui-bue (Dragon Head Flute) produces both high and very high notes. It also has better volume and resonance. Material: Domestic Madake bamboo Thickness: Approximately 21 mm at the mouthpiece Length: Approximately 45 cm Mouthpiece size: Approximately 14 mm Thickness: Normal Bamboo hardness: Normal Pitch: Around 5.5 hon (a Japanese musical pitch) Range: From the fundamental tone to the 5th octave What is the Ryusui-bue? It is a flute that was introduced from China during the early to mid-Edo period. It is called the Ryusui-bue because the head of the flute is decorated with a dragon, and there is a resonance hole between the mouthpiece and the finger holes. (It is mentioned in documents from the Tang Dynasty in China.) This is a flute that has been improved and made to suit current Japanese festival music, based on the phantom Ryusui-bue made by a flute maker in Kyoto during the mid-Edo period. The resonance is three-dimensional like the Nohkan (Noh flute), the playing feel is firm and soft, and it is easy to play. The tone is refreshing (similar to the shinobue). Differences from the Shinobue: The biggest difference is the volume and tone quality. The volume is nearly twice that of the shinobue, and the high and very high notes resonate three-dimensionally. However, while there are many craftsmen who make shinobue, there are few craftsmen who make bamboo flutes (flutes with nodes, such as madake and hachiku). One reason is that they are difficult to make and it is difficult to secure materials. I have been researching physics for many years, so I am able to select materials that are relatively easy to play and have good sound. Please understand that this is handmade using natural materials. Also, please refrain from price reductions.