China
Chinese

Bamboo, 
Mid 20th century
Length: 23.5 in, Diameter: 0.75 in
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes – Transverse

This transversely played lacquered bamboo flute is called “dizi” (di) in Chinese. The earliest flutes were made of bone, then about 4,500 years ago, they began making them from bamboo. During the 1st century of the Han Dynasty it was called hengchui, meaning ‘blowing horizontally.’  In addition to the blowhole and six finger holes, the dizi,  has an extra hole covered with a membrane stripped from the inner layer of a bamboo stalk. This membrane, known as a mirliton, provides the flute with a buzzing tone and helps to amplify the sound. This dizi is engraved and painted with landscape scenes, and signed by the maker in white as well as the letter ‘D’ next to the fourth finger hole.  There are a number of vent holes at the end, from which the two tassels are hung. The dizi is very popular in folk and ethnic dramas.