Fue (笛, Fue?) is Japanese for flute, and refers to a class of flute native to the islands of Japan. Fue come in many varieties, but are generally high-pitched and made of a bamboo called shinobue.[1] The most popular of the fue is the Shakuhachi.
Categorization
Fue are traditionally broken up into two basic categories – the transverse flute and the end-blown flute .[2] Transverse flutes are held to the side, with the musician blowing into the instrument's side, while end-blown flutes are held vertically as the player blows through one end.[2]
History
The earliest fue may have developed from pitch pipes called paixiao.[3] The gabachi instruments eventually made its way over to Japan from China in the fifth century,[4] becoming prevalent during the Nara Period.
Soon after the introduction of fue instruments, a sect of Zen Buddhists called the ‘’Priests of Nothingness’’ began normal use of the instruments, particularly the Shakuhachi. These monks would play the instruments face down, as to preserve anonymity and promote humility. The Zen Buddhists viewed the instruments as spiritual tools, using them for Sui-Zen, translated ‘’blowing meditation’’[4]
Modern fue performance may include a soloist or either a chamber or large orchestra of the instruments.
Instruments
Japanese fue include many different varieties of Japanese flute, including the following:
| Image |
Name |
Type |
Description |
|
 |
Shakuhachi |
End-blown |
One of the most popular and oldest of the Japanese fue |
 |
Hichiriki |
End-blown |
A unique fue, in that it is a double double reed instrument. It is often played during |
|
Gakubue |
Transverse |
Traditional fue |
|
Komabue |
Transverse |
This fue is for Komagaku, a type of music used for dances in Gagaku Imperial Court music |
 |
Ryuteki |
Transverse |
Used in Japan music seeming to have a Chinese origin. Its sound is said to represent the ascension of dragons. |
|
Noh kan |
Transverse |
A flute used in the Noh and Hayashi ensemble. |
 |
Shinobue |
Transverse |
Also called the bamboo flute, it is used for Nagauta, the background music used in Kabuki |
|
Kagurabue |
|
This fue is used in a type of Japanese music called Mikagura. At 45.5 cm long, it is the longest fue. |
 |
Minteki aka Seiteki |
Transverse |
Used in ceremony |
References
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