Japan
Japanese

Bamboo, metal
Early 20th century
Length: 21.625 in
Aerophone – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge -blown Flute

The shakuhachi is an ancient Japanese end-blown bamboo flute that came from China in the seventh century. It is made of thick bamboo with four finger holes and one thumb hole. During the Edo Period (1603-1868) the shakuhachi became a popular instrument of the mendicant Zen priests called komusô.   This instrument is tuned to the minor pentatonic scale. The name shakuhachi means “1.8 shaku,” referring to its size (almost 55 centimeters).  (See other shakuhatchi ‘signed’ in this collection for further information.)