Description
Natsuki NF-105 RBE Semi-Handmade Flute – .950 Silver Headjoint, .925 Solid Silver Body & Mechanism, Open Hole, B Foot.
A rare find is this Natsuki NF-105 RBE semi-handmade flute from Japan. Natsuki Flutes (ナツキフルート) are a small, specialist Japanese maker with a surprisingly interesting history. They’re much less well documented in English than Muramatsu, Sankyo or Miyazawa, which is probably why you don’t see much information about them in the UK. Although exported internationally and listed amongst the main flute makers, they are rarely found on the used market.
Natsuki Flutes was founded in Chibo, Japan in 1976 by Bunkichi Natsuki. This was during the period when a number of Japan’s important specialist flute workshops were emerging. The same chronology gives Muramatsu as 1923, Sakurai 1962, Sankyo 1968, Miyazawa 1969, Mateki 1978 and Kotato 1985. Natsuki worked closely with the Japanese flautist Ryu Noguchi, developing and refining his flutes through feedback from Noguchi and his students. He specifically worked on specialising on perfecting his headjoint design.
This model is the Natsuki NF-105 RBE and is constructed with a solid .950 silver headjoint and a .925 silver body and keys. It has open holes with offset G, a split E mechanism, drawn tone holes, French pointed key arms and a B footjoint. The headjoint is monogrammed by Bunchiki Natsuki and so would have been made by him.
Sound – This flute has a beautiful tonal quality that is full and sweet and sings very easily. A professional player tried it when it arrived and remarked on how easily it played and the quality of tone. The higher density of silver in the headjoint gives a little more edge and projection and the embouchure is squarer and full measuring 12mm in width by 10.1mm across, not dissimilar to Albert Cooper.
Accessories: This flute comes with a waterproof Nahok carrycase – https://nahok-eng.ocnk.net/. Nahok cases are designed by Japanese craftsmen and made in Germany. They are £210 each and this case is in superb condition with carry strap.
Features:
- Semi handmade flute
- .950 Silver headjoint
- .925 Silver body and keys
- Open Holes
- Offset G
- Split E
- B footjoint
- Drawn tone holes
- Nahok waterproof carrycase (RRP £210)
