Shinobue

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7-hole Uta-you Shinobue in B-flat ("6-hon choshi") top binding
7-hole Uta-you Shinobue in B ("7-hon choshi") black painted
7-hole Uta-you Shinobue in C ("8-hon choshi") without binding
The "shinobue" (kanji: ; also called "takebue" ) is a Japanese transverse flute that has a high-pitched sound. It is found in "hayashi" and "nagauta" ensembles, and plays important roles in noh and kabuki theatre music. It is heard in Shinto music such as "kagura-den", as well as in traditional Japanese folk songs. There are two styles: "uta" (song) and "hayashi" (festival). The uta is properly tuned to the Western scale, and can be played in ensembles or as a solo instrument. The hayashi is not in the correct pitch, because it is simply a piece of hollow bamboo with holes cut into it. It emits a very high-pitched sound, and is appropriate for the festival/folk music of Japan. Both shinobue flutes play a very important role in the Japanese theater.

External links

* [http://www.kotosandmore.com/shinobue.html Kotos and More] (Shinobue and other Japanese instruments with sound samples)
* [http://www.ronkorb.com/asianflutes.html Ron Korb's Asian Flute Gallery] (features description and drawing of the Shinobue and other Japanese flutes)
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~dl1s-ymgc/index-e.htm Syoji Yamaguchi's web site on Japanese transverse flutes] (features articles on making and playing of the Shinobue and other Japanese transverse flutes: yokobue or fue)
* [http://jtrad.columbia.jp/eng/i_shinobue.html - Japanese Traditional Music]

ee also

*Ryuteki