Kagura Flute - Kagura Flute

A transverse flute used to accompany Kagura at the Imperial Court and various shrines. It is also called the Yamato flute, Japanese flute, or Futo flute. With a total length of about 45.5 cm and an outer diameter of about 1.8 cm, it is the longest of the three types of flutes used in gagaku. It has six finger holes, called kan, go, jo, shaku, chu, and roku from the end of the flute. It is two major degrees lower than the other two flutes, the ryukan, and three major degrees lower than the koma flute. The Zoku Kyokunsho (1444-49) states that "The thick flute was originally a transverse flute with a swaying tone, and was similar to the Hodo flute," so it is believed to be a larger version of the Korean flute called the "Narabue" in the Engikyaku (907th Selection) from the mid-Heian period, and the two have similar structures and playing techniques. The tone is quiet, and the pitch follows the melody of the Kagura song, and the ancient Pillow Book, section 66, states that "The Kagura flute is played with a thin, clear, and interesting sound."

[Yoko Hashimoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宮中・諸神社で神楽の伴奏に用いる横笛。「大和(やまと)笛」「和(やまと)笛」「太(ふと)笛」ともいう。全長約45.5センチメートル、外径約1.8センチメートルで、雅楽の3種の笛のうち最長。指孔は6孔、管尾から干(かん)・五(ご)・丄(じょう)・夕(しゃく)・中(ちゅう)・六(ろく)とよぶ。他の2笛、竜管より長2度、高麗(こま)笛より長3度低い。『続教訓抄』（1444～49）に「太笛モ本(もと)ハ横笛ノ壱越(いちこつ)調ニ会(あう)ホドノ笛ニゾ待(はべ)リケル」とあることから、平安中期の『延喜格(えんぎきゃく)』（907選）に「楢笛(ならぶえ)」と称された高麗笛が大形化されたものと考えられ、両者とも構造・奏法が類似する。音色は静寂で、音高は神楽歌の旋律にすなおに沿い、古く『枕草子(まくらのそうし)』66段にも、「神楽の笛の面白(おもしろ)うわななき、細う吹きすましたる」とある。

［橋本曜子］

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