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Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 10:06 pm
by Slide009
This is my first post.
Please point out if I am making any mistakes.
I work for a Japanese lacquerware store.
I also play trombone in big band jazz.
I mixed work and hobby to made a Japanese traditional lacquer trombone.
I would like to sell this abroad.
I would like to post a photo, but it seems I can't upload a photo until I have 3 posts.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it.
I would like you to come to our website if you would like.
http://www.edoshikki.com/?tid=2&mode=f16
Best regards
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:48 pm
by tbonesullivan
Isn't Urushi lacquer usually fairly thick when compared to the protective lacquer coating used on instruments? I would worry that the resonance of the horn might be reduced.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:51 pm
by Burgerbob
Beautiful work.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:02 pm
by NotSkilledHere
im by no means an expert but i collect fountain pens as a separate hobby have seen many urushi pens. lacquer ends up being quite thick but from what i understand, they are applied in thin layers and built up to desired thickness and that's part of how the depth and richness of color is achieved. So i guess the thickness of the lacquer would depend on what particular color you are aiming for and darkness/depth/richness you are looking for. That being said, I do think some combination of tradiional instrument engraving and silver/gold plating and lacquerwork would be quite exquisite and beautiful!
and that horn pictured is really beautifully done!! i could stare at that makie work all day!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:05 pm
by JohnL
The price ($6,500 US) puts it well out of my reach, but it is certainly beautiful work.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:12 pm
by NotSkilledHere
im curious if $6.5k is including the horn or just the work. a lot of the price of that horn pictured could very well be based on makie work. I know urushi on its own is not cheap to begine with but the makie artistry ive seen bump prices up largely.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:25 pm
by Digidog
Beautiful! Fantastic looking horns!
If I had $6500, I'd order one just for playing it decoratively without any prior testing. I'd have either a Kiku decoration or - like the menuki of my iaito - a by the looks of it female flying dragon, from which I gave the sword the somewhat pretentious (and maybe silly) name "Hiryo no hime".
How durable are they? I mean: How do they take wear and tear and smacking into stuff, and mute dings? Are the slides lacquer too?
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:42 pm
by Finetales
That is gorgeous!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:59 pm
by hyperbolica
Stunning. Love the use of natural materials as well.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:20 pm
by Slide009
tbonesullivan wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:48 pm
Isn't Urushi lacquer usually fairly thick when compared to the protective lacquer coating used on instruments? I would worry that the resonance of the horn might be reduced.
I am very happy that so many people have responded.
You are right, the lacquer coating is very thick compared to the regular lacquer.
It was easy to imagine that the sound could be suppressed.
So I attempted to make it as thin as possible.
I had a musician try it and gave me the following advice.
The curved part of the tuning tube and the tip of the slide should not be painted. It is because it is where the brace hits and resonates well.”
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:22 pm
by Slide009
Burgerbob wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:51 pm
Beautiful work.
Thank you very much!
If you ever come to Japan, please come and play this trombone!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:27 pm
by Slide009
NotSkilledHere wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:02 pm
im by no means an expert but i collect fountain pens as a separate hobby have seen many urushi pens. lacquer ends up being quite thick but from what i understand, they are applied in thin layers and built up to desired thickness and that's part of how the depth and richness of color is achieved. So i guess the thickness of the lacquer would depend on what particular color you are aiming for and darkness/depth/richness you are looking for. That being said, I do think some combination of tradiional instrument engraving and silver/gold plating and lacquerwork would be quite exquisite and beautiful!
and that horn pictured is really beautifully done!! i could stare at that makie work all day!
You are very knowledgeable about maki-e!
And it is wonderful that you also have a fountain pen.
What is the name of the pattern on this trombone?
It is called “Shunju” which means spring and autumn.
It represents cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:34 pm
by Slide009
JohnL wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:05 pm
The price ($6,500 US) puts it well out of my reach, but it is certainly beautiful work.
Thank you very much!
Since the yen is currently weak, the price of the instrument itself has risen very much.
20 years ago king 3B about $1,700
Currently king 3B about $3,700
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:46 pm
by Slide009
NotSkilledHere wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:12 pm
im curious if $6.5k is including the horn or just the work. a lot of the price of that horn pictured could very well be based on makie work. I know urushi on its own is not cheap to begine with but the makie artistry ive seen bump prices up largely.
Thank you for your comment!
The price of $6,500 is the price of the king 3B body and all the japanese lacquer painting and maki-e combined.
If it were just the urushi-nuri and maki-e, it would be roughly $3,500.
The rest is international shipping costs.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:01 pm
by Slide009
Digidog wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:25 pm
Beautiful! Fantastic looking horns!
If I had $6500, I'd order one just for playing it decoratively without any prior testing. I'd have either a Kiku decoration or - like the menuki of my iaito - a by the looks of it female flying dragon, from which I gave the sword the somewhat pretentious (and maybe silly) name "Hiryo no hime".
How durable are they? I mean: How do they take wear and tear and smacking into stuff, and mute dings? Are the slides lacquer too?
Thank you very much!
Very cool name!
Japanese lacquer has very strong properties among various paints.
It can peel off with a strong impact, but compared to regular lacquer, Japanese lacquer is stronger.
The outside of the slide is coated with Japanese lacquer, but nothing is done on the inside.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:03 pm
by Slide009
Finetales wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:42 pm
That is gorgeous!
Thank you very much!
Please come visit Japan and see this trombone!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:07 pm
by Slide009
hyperbolica wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:59 pm
Stunning. Love the use of natural materials as well.
Thank you very much!
You are right, Japanese lacquer is a natural paint refined from tree sap.
It is a traditional craft that Japan is proud to offer to the world!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:13 pm
by tbonesullivan
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:20 pmI am very happy that so many people have responded.
You are right, the lacquer coating is very thick compared to the regular lacquer.
It was easy to imagine that the sound could be suppressed.
So I attempted to make it as thin as possible.
I had a musician try it and gave me the following advice.
The curved part of the tuning tube and the tip of the slide should not be painted. It is because it is where the brace hits and resonates well.”
It definitely looks beautiful. I deal with antique Japanese items such as Nihonto and Jingasa, so I definitely have an appreciation for the beautiful work that can be done with Urushi.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:25 pm
by Slide009
I will also upload pictures from different angles.
Later, I will also upload a video of me playing this Japanese traditional lacquer trombone.
It's big band jazz, so it doesn't show much....
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:27 pm
by Slide009
tbonesullivan wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:13 pm
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:20 pmI am very happy that so many people have responded.
You are right, the lacquer coating is very thick compared to the regular lacquer.
It was easy to imagine that the sound could be suppressed.
So I attempted to make it as thin as possible.
I had a musician try it and gave me the following advice.
The curved part of the tuning tube and the tip of the slide should not be painted. It is because it is where the brace hits and resonates well.”
It definitely looks beautiful. I deal with antique Japanese items such as Nihonto and Jingasa, so I definitely have an appreciation for the beautiful work that can be done with Urushi.
Great collection!
He loves Japan more than I do as a Japanese.
Thank you!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:00 pm
by HawaiiTromboneGuy
Where in Japan are you located? I’m visiting Tokyo from June 1st-20th and it would be neat to see this in person!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:31 pm
by Slide009
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:00 pm
Where in Japan are you located? I’m visiting Tokyo from June 1st-20th and it would be neat to see this in person!
That's great!
I live near Asakusa, Tokyo.
Please drop by my store when you come to Tokyo.
and,
Please try to play this trombone.
If it had been June 28, I would have wanted you to come because my band was having a free show.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E7%A ... FQAw%3D%3D
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:44 pm
by HawaiiTromboneGuy
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:31 pm
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:00 pm
Where in Japan are you located? I’m visiting Tokyo from June 1st-20th and it would be neat to see this in person!
That's great!
I live near Asakusa, Tokyo.
Please drop by my store when you come to Tokyo.
and,
Please try to play this trombone.
If it had been June 28, I would have wanted you to come because my band was having a free show.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E7%A ... FQAw%3D%3D
That could work! Perhaps the day that we visit Senso-ji we could meet up!
The community band that I play in here in Honolulu is having a joint concert with our sister band in Omiya.
Your shop seems to be less than 30 minutes away from where we’re staying in Akiba!
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:54 pm
by Slide009
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:44 pm
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:31 pm
That's great!
I live near Asakusa, Tokyo.
Please drop by my store when you come to Tokyo.
and,
Please try to play this trombone.
If it had been June 28, I would have wanted you to come because my band was having a free show.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E7%A ... FQAw%3D%3D
That could work! Perhaps the day that we visit Senso-ji we could meet up!
The community band that I play in here in Honolulu is having a joint concert with our sister band in Omiya.
Your shop seems to be less than 30 minutes away from where we’re staying in Akiba!
Kaminarimon is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan!
Please contact me closer to the date you will be traveling.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:59 pm
by Slide009
Here is a video of my band playing.
I am MC and 2nd trombone.
We perform once a month at the Food Hall of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Station.
日比谷 vibrant city jazz orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0zghL6LOeY&t=32s
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 8:25 pm
by HawaiiTromboneGuy
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:54 pm
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 7:44 pm
That could work! Perhaps the day that we visit Senso-ji we could meet up!
The community band that I play in here in Honolulu is having a joint concert with our sister band in Omiya.
Your shop seems to be less than 30 minutes away from where we’re staying in Akiba!
Kaminarimon is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan!
Please contact me closer to the date you will be traveling.
Yes, I’ll be sure to contact you later when it’s closer to my trip to work out the details. Kaminarimon is always a must stop! Last year was super busy with the influx of tourism.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 7:11 am
by tromboneVan
Slide009 wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 6:25 pm
I will also upload pictures from different angles.
Later, I will also upload a video of me playing this Japanese traditional lacquer trombone.
It's big band jazz, so it doesn't show much....
Beautiful.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 8:07 pm
by HawaiiTromboneGuy
Slide009- Sent you a PM/email. Flying out this Sunday so hopefully we can link up.
Re: Japanese traditional lacquer trombone
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 8:50 am
by davdud101
That is some incredible stuff!! The price is pretty prohibitive for anyone that isn't a brain surgeon for their day job, but it does give me some ideas as I've been doing my own mods on horns I pick up for cheap.