Hichiriki
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The Hichiriki is a tiny, cylindrical double-reed wind instrument made of bamboo. It has a loud, nasal sound. It can be heard in traditional Japanese court music, known as gagaku. The hichiriki is also used in Kagura, the ceremonial song and dance of the Japanese religion called Shinto.
| Family |
| Woodwinds |
| Pitch range |
| One octave. |
| Material |
| Bamboo. |
| Size |
| About 7 in (18 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| The hichiriki evolved from the Chinese guan, which appeared in Japan in the 8th century. Both derive from the Greek aulos, which traveled down the Silk Route to China. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| The hichiriki is extremely difficult to play. The player decorates the melody with a continuous flow of ornamentation, and slight fluctuations of pitch, achieved by both fingers and lips. |
