笛
woodwind instrument; whistle; horn
Kanji 1624
Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.
Woodwind instruments have played a prominent role in Europe (e.g., the Pied Piper), but what about Asia? Find out about bamboo flutes in Shinto music, Noh theater, gagaku (old court music), hunting, and old-time candy peddling. Read about a bamboo instrument that resembles a phoenix and may express a ray of heavenly light! Also learn about a whistle that you’ll hear only in Japan.
Revision History:
July 21, 2023: p. 8: Fixed a broken link.
Aug. 30, 2021:
- p. 2, Etymology Box: Replaced the Henshall etymology with the new one.
- p. 17: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
Dec. 16, 2017: p. 13: Changed the translation of「霧笛荘夜話」to Evening Tales of Foghorn Manor, also noting that the cover shown is for an audiobook.
June 17, 2016: Originally published.
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