How tall is a Koshi chime

A Koshi chime hanging from a fixed point measures approximately 35 cm from the top of the hanging ring to the bottom of the wind catcher. The bamboo resonance tube has a diameter of approximately 13.5 cm and a length of around 16 to 17 cm. The total weight of the assembled chime is approximately 130 g.

Those are the headline numbers. This article explains what each part contributes to those measurements, why the dimensions were chosen, how Koshi compares to Zaphir in size, and what you need to know when selecting a hook height, cord length, or chime stand.

The Parts of a Koshi Chime and Their Dimensions

A Koshi chime is assembled from five distinct sections. Each contributes to the total hanging length and to the acoustic character of the instrument.

1. Hanging Ring

At the top is a small metal O-ring, approximately 2 cm in diameter. This is the loop you thread the hook through. It is welded shut and will not open under normal use. The ring is the reference point for all hanging height calculations.

2. Top Hanging Cord

Below the ring is a braided cord approximately 9 to 10 cm long. This connects the O-ring to the top cap of the bamboo tube. The cord is tied around a small cross-bar inside the top of the resonance tube, which allows the chime to be re-aligned if it develops a twist over time.

3. Bamboo Resonance Tube

The main body of the chime: a section of bamboo approximately 16 to 17 cm long with a diameter of approximately 13.5 cm at its widest point. This is where the acoustic work happens. The eight steel rods are suspended inside, fixed at the top and free to vibrate at the bottom, and the hollow bamboo cylinder acts as a resonance chamber that amplifies and colours their sound.

The tube dimensions are not arbitrary. The length determines the natural resonant frequency of the bamboo itself, tuned to complement the frequency range of the rods inside. The diameter allows the rods to swing freely and strike the tube wall cleanly. The current proportions represent the optimum point for the tuning ranges used across all four Koshi variants.

The eight metal rods inside the tube range from the shortest (producing the highest note) to the longest (producing the lowest note). They are arranged around the interior circumference of the tube. When the inner ball swings and contacts them, it produces notes in sequence. Longer rods vibrate more slowly and produce lower, richer tones; shorter rods vibrate faster and produce higher, brighter tones. The rod lengths are different for each of the four Koshi tunings, and this is the core reason each tuning sounds distinct.

4. Inner Cord and Ball

Running through the centre of the bamboo tube is a cord with a small wooden ball at its lower end. This cord exits the bottom of the tube by approximately 3 to 4 cm before connecting to the wind catcher. The ball strikes the rods as the chime tilts in air movement, producing the cascading tone sequence. When the chime hangs still, the ball should sit roughly in the lower third of the tube, centred.

5. Wind Catcher

At the base is a teardrop-shaped wooden sail approximately 5 cm long. This catches the wind and transmits the movement upward through the inner cord to the ball. Its surface area is sized to respond to gentle air currents, and its weight keeps the inner cord hanging straight in still conditions.

Full Dimensions at a Glance

Small batch-to-batch variations in natural bamboo are normal and do not affect acoustic performance.

How Bamboo Tube Length Affects Resonance and Tone

The bamboo tube functions as a resonance chamber: its interior volume and the material properties of the bamboo wall both contribute to the warmth and sustain of the sound. A longer tube would shift the resonance frequency lower, producing a more bass-heavy character. A shorter tube would produce a brighter, thinner sound. The current 16 to 17 cm length is the point at which the tube's natural resonance complements the frequency range of the eight rods without dominating it.

The resin coating applied to the outside of each Koshi tube serves a dual purpose: it seals the bamboo surface against moisture and adds a slight stiffness to the outer wall, which subtly affects how the tube vibrates in response to rod strikes. This is one reason why Koshi chimes made with their original surface treatment tend to have a fuller, richer sustain than older chimes where the coating has worn away.

How Koshi Compares to Zaphir in Size

Zaphir chimes are similar in overall dimensions to Koshi but have a slightly wider bamboo body and sit marginally heavier in the hand. The Zaphir resonance tube is made from cellulose rather than natural bamboo, and the material gives it a slightly different acoustic character: Zaphir tends toward a brighter, more projecting sound, while Koshi has a warmer, more intimate resonance. The wider body of the Zaphir also means it responds to slightly stronger breezes and carries its sound further in open outdoor spaces.

In practical terms, if you are choosing a chime for a small indoor space, Koshi's more compact projection is an advantage. If you want a chime for a covered porch or a large room where sound needs to carry, Zaphir's slightly fuller projection may be preferable. Both chimes fit the same standard ceiling hooks and stands.

Browse the Zaphir wind chimes collection to compare the seasonal tunings and see how they differ from the Koshi elemental series.

Hanging Hardware: What You Need

The Hook

A standard small ceiling hook rated for 2 to 5 kg is more than adequate for any Koshi chime. The chime weighs approximately 130 g and exerts minimal dynamic load even when swinging vigorously. Use a swivel hook rather than a fixed ring to prevent the cord from winding tightly during extended use. A closed-loop hook, rather than an open S-hook, ensures the chime cannot slip off when it swings.

Stainless steel or powder-coated hooks are preferable for outdoor use to prevent rust marks from transferring to the cord. For indoor use, any standard picture hook or cup hook screwed into a joist is sufficient.

Ceiling Fixing

Screw the hook into a ceiling joist or a solid timber beam for a permanent installation. If drilling into the ceiling is not possible, a heavy-duty adhesive hook rated for 3 kg or more will hold a Koshi chime indefinitely in a still indoor environment. For outdoor use, where wind loading increases the dynamic force on the hook, a screwed fixing into solid material is strongly recommended.

Cord Length

The hanging cord on the chime is approximately 9 to 10 cm and is not typically modified. If you want to hang the chime at a lower height without changing the ceiling hook position, you can add an extension cord between the hook and the chime's O-ring. Use a cord of similar weight and material to the original, tied with a secure knot through both O-rings. The additional cord length does not affect the acoustic performance of the chime, only the height at which it hangs.

Avoid hanging the chime from a hook using a very short cord that places the hook directly against or inside the O-ring. A small amount of free cord allows the chime to swivel and self-level rather than hanging at a fixed angle.

Minimum Clearance

Allow at least 20 cm of clear space in every horizontal direction below the wind catcher. This gives the wind catcher enough arc to activate the inner ball fully. If the chime is hanging close to a wall, the wind catcher will deflect against the surface on one side, producing uneven rod strikes and potentially leaving a wear mark on the wall over time.

The Four Koshi Tunings

Koshi Aria
A C E A B C E B

Koshi Aqua
A D F A A D F A

Koshi Terra
G B D G B D G B

Koshi Ignis
G B D G A B D A

For guidance on optimal hanging positions and how to create air movement indoors, see the full indoor placement guide. Browse the full Koshi wind chimes collection to compare all four tunings.

Koshi Set of 4