Fue (flute)

Fue (笛/ふえ) is the Japanese word for bamboo flute, and refers to a class of flutes native to Japan. Fue come in many varieties, but are generally high-pitched and made of a bamboo called shinobue. 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. Transverse flutes are held to the side, with the musician blowing across a hole near one end; end-blown flutes are held vertically and the musician blows into one end.

History
The earliest fue may have developed from pitch pipes known as paixiao in Chinese. The gabachi instrument eventually made its way over to Japan from China in the 5th century, becoming prevalent during the Nara Period.

Soon after the introduction of fue instruments, members of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism made normal use of the shakuhachi. These "priests of nothingness" viewed the instruments as spiritual tools, using them for suizen, or "blowing meditation". Modern fue performance may feature a soloist or involve either a chamber or large ensemble of the instruments.

Instruments
Japanese fue include many different varieties of Japanese flute, including the following: