The primary material from which shakuhachi are fashioned is still madake bamboo; however, inexpensive shakuhachi made from wood, plastic and other synthetic materials such as plastic have been developed, and are primarily aimed at improving accessibility to the instrument and targeted at beginning students.
材質は真竹であるが、木製の木管尺八やプラスチックなどの合成樹脂でできた安価な尺八が開発され、おもに初心者の普及用などの用途で使用されている。