The shinobue is a transverse flute with a simple structure, and it is made from shinodake (small bamboo); Simon bamboo (Pleioblastus simonii), whose inner side is coated either in lacquer or synthetic resin, having two openings for Utaguchi (the mouthpiece of the shakuhachi) and tone holes.
篠竹（雌竹）に歌口と音孔（手孔）を開け、漆ないしは合成樹脂を管の内面に塗った簡素な構造の横笛である。