Hichiriki
double reed Japanese flute
The hichiriki (篳篥) is a double reed Japanese fue (flute) used as one of two main melodic instruments in gagaku music. It is one of the "sacred" instruments and is often heard at Shinto weddings in Japan. Its sound is often described as haunting.
The hichiriki is derived from the Chinese guan, which was imported into Japan during the Tang dynasty. According to scholars, the hichiriki emerged after the 12th century when the popularity of the Chinese melodies in Japan called tōgaku waned.
Description
Although a double reed instrument like the oboe, the hichiriki has a cylindrical bore and thus its sound is similar to that of a clarinet. It is difficult to play due in part to the double reed configuration. It is made of a piece of bamboo that measures 18 centimetres (7.1 in) with a flat double reed inserted which makes a loud sound.
Pitch and ornamentation (most notably bending tones) are controlled largely with the embouchure. The instrument is particularly noted for the embai ("salted plum seasoning"), a kind of pitch-gliding technique.
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