The is a double reed Japanese used as one of two main melodic instruments in music. It is one of the "sacred" instruments and is often heard at Shinto weddings in Japan. Its sound is often described as haunting.
The is derived from the Chinese guan, which was imported into Japan during the Tang dynasty. According to scholars, the emerged after the 12th century when the popularity of the Chinese melodies in Japan called waned.
Description
thumb|[[Gagaku musician playing hichiriki]]
Although a double reed instrument like the oboe, the has a cylindrical bore and thus its sound is similar to that of a clarinet. It is difficult to play due in part to the double reed configuration. It is made of a piece of bamboo that measures with a flat double reed inserted which makes a loud sound.
Pitch and ornamentation (most notably bending tones) are controlled largely with the embouchure. The instrument is particularly noted for the ("salted plum seasoning"), a kind of pitch-gliding technique.