Bunta Sato, a Tsugaru flute player living in Hirosaki, started selling the "non-ringing flute" for home practice on April 15.

The “non-sounding whistle” has a mechanism in which air passes through and a sound is not produced by making a hole on the back of the mouthpiece of a horizontal flute. Mr. Sato said, "I heard that some students in the Kanto area couldn't practice because I couldn't make sound at home, so I decided to sell it."

Mr. Sato is a flute player who plans workshops and overseas tours not only in the Tsugaru region but throughout Japan. In 2011, he gathered 3742 flute players and set a Guinness World Record for the number of joint ensemble players, and last year he performed at Carnegie Hall in New York.

According to Mr. Sato, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the plan until September has been blank. The revival performance at Carnegie Hall was scheduled locally on July 3 but canceled on April 16. “The Nebuta and Neputa Festivals will disappear, and not only the flute player but also the craftsmen who make the flute will be harmed. This is not the case when he is holding hands,” says Sato.

The "Soundless Whistle" processes PVC pipes. Uses adhesives used for water pipes, etc. to ensure safety. It is the same whistle I made when I challenged the Guinness World Records, and I make use of the know-how I made with my father, Toshio, a carpenter, of about 4,000 flutes. Mr. Sato says, "No doubt, the efforts of nearly 10 years ago will be utilized again now. I have my father cooperate with me again this time."

The selling price is 1,500 yen. Handled on the website "Bunta Shoten". Purchase a whistle that costs 3,000 yen or more and get a "non-sounding whistle." “It's also a project to support the flute craftsman. I want to continue for a while,” says Sato.

In addition to refurbishing the bedroom at home, creating an environment where online lessons and video distribution can be done, a new homepage has been set up so that students can take lessons by fellow flute players all over the country instead of Mr. Sato alone. Mr. Sato says, "I can't just stay pessimistic. I hope that waiting at home will be a little fun."