How do I find out which Koshi I have?
Mar 05, 2021
The quickest way to identify a Koshi chime is to look at the word "Koshi" on the side of the bamboo tube. The letter O in that word is filled with a colour, and that colour tells you exactly which of the four tunings you have. No packaging required, no tools needed.
This guide walks through the colour code, what to do if the colour has faded, how to use sound to confirm the identification, and how Zaphir chimes are identified differently.
The Colour Code: What Each Colour Means
Each Koshi chime is laser-engraved with its model name, and the O in "Koshi" is filled with a colour lacquer during production. The four colours map to the four elements:
- Green O: Koshi Terra, the Earth element. Tuned G B D G B D G B.
- Blue O: Koshi Aqua, the Water element. Tuned A D F A A D F A.
- Yellow or gold O: Koshi Aria, the Air element. Tuned A C E A B C E B.
- Red or orange O: Koshi Ignis, the Fire element. Tuned G B D G A B D A.
On a new or well-preserved chime, the colour fill is clearly visible in good light. On a chime that has been outdoors for several seasons or has worn with age, the colour may have faded. The next sections cover what to do in that case.
For a deeper look at the design logic behind the colour system and what each element represents, see the article on the Koshi chime colour code.
What If the Colour Has Faded?
The Visual Context Method
Even without a clear colour, the engraving remains legible on most chimes unless the bamboo has been heavily weathered. Look closely at the letter O: the recess of the engraving may still hold a faint trace of pigment in the deepest part of the cut. Use a torch or direct sunlight to illuminate the engraving from a low angle. What appears as flat grey in diffuse light often shows residual colour when lit at a raking angle.
If the original box is still present, even empty, the box colour identifies the model immediately: red for Ignis, blue for Aqua, yellow or gold for Aria, green for Terra.
The Sound Test
If no visual identification is possible, you can identify a Koshi chime by its tuning. Hold the chime by the cord and tilt it gently so the inner ball swings and strikes the rods. Listen to the character of the first few notes and compare against the table below.
| Chime | Element | O Colour | Tuning (8 rods) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koshi Aria | Air | Yellow / gold | A C E A B C E B | Bright, open, major feel |
| Koshi Aqua | Water | Blue | A D F A A D F A | Reflective, minor-inflected |
| Koshi Terra | Earth | Green | G B D G B D G B | Grounded, stable, pure major |
| Koshi Ignis | Fire | Red / orange | G B D G A B D A | Warm, bright at top register |
Aria and Aqua both start at A on their lowest rod, but diverge immediately: Aria's second note is C (a minor third up) while Aqua's second note is D (a major fourth up). The difference is audible even without music training. Aria sounds more open and upward; Aqua has a more enclosed, contemplative quality.
Terra and Ignis share their two lowest notes (G and B), but diverge at the third rod: Terra continues to D, then returns to G; Ignis also moves to D at the third position but then steps up to A on the fourth rather than back to G. Ignis has a subtly more complex, energetic feel at the top of its register as a result.
If you want a definitive pitch-by-pitch check, a free chromatic tuner app on a smartphone works reliably. Tilt the chime to ring one rod at a time by holding the others lightly with a fingertip, and note each pitch. Match the sequence against the tuning charts above.
The Four Koshi Chimes at a Glance
What the Original Packaging Looks Like
A genuine Koshi chime comes in a square natural kraft cardboard gift box with a magnetic-flap closure. The tuning name and element are printed clearly on the front: "Aria Air", "Aqua Water", "Terra Earth", or "Ignis Fire". A colour accent on the packaging corresponds to the O colour on the bamboo tube. Inside, a form-fitting cardboard insert keeps the tube centred and a small information card includes the tuning chart.
If you are buying a Koshi as a gift and want to know more about what is included in the box, see the article on Koshi chimes gift packaging.
Identifying a Second-Hand Koshi
If you received a chime second-hand with no packaging, start with the colour code, then confirm with the sound test. If neither gives a confident result, use the chromatic tuner method described above.
Counterfeit or imitation Koshi chimes do exist. Genuine chimes have the Koshi name cleanly laser-engraved on bamboo with a colour-filled O. Imitations often have inconsistent colour fills, printed rather than engraved lettering, or bamboo surfaces that feel rougher and less finished. The acoustic quality is also a reliable indicator: a genuine Koshi has a multi-harmonic sustain produced by silver-welded steel rods inside a precision bamboo resonance chamber. Imitations using cheaper materials produce a flatter, shorter decay.
Identifying a Zaphir Chime
Zaphir chimes use a different identification system. The chime name is stamped on the cellulose tube body, and the seasonal colour coding appears primarily on the packaging and the cap colour rather than an engraved O. The five Zaphir tunings are: Crystalide (spring, green), Sunray (summer, yellow), Twilight (autumn, red), Blue Moon (winter, blue), and Sufi (intermediary season, purple).
If you are unsure whether you have a Koshi or a Zaphir, the material of the tube is the immediate distinction: Koshi tubes are natural bamboo with a warm honey or grey-brown surface; Zaphir tubes are cellulose and have a smoother, more uniform appearance with a slightly different finish.
Browse the full Koshi wind chimes collection to see all four tunings with descriptions, or visit the Zaphir wind chimes collection if you think you may have a Zaphir.
