Yokobue

Yokobue is a type of Japanese mouth organ, also known as a Free Reed Sheng. It is a simple, primitive free reed instrument that is part of the sheng family of wind instruments. The yokobue is typically made from reeds, bamboo, or wood, and consists of a series of holes along its length, similar to a harmonica or an ocarina.

The yokobue is played by covering the holes with the fingers to produce different pitches. Unlike modern harmonicas, the yokobue does not have a reed for each hole, but instead uses a single free reed for all pitches, producing a distinct timbre. This design allows the yokobue to produce a wider range of tones and overtones than a traditional harmonica.

The yokobue has been used for various purposes in Japanese culture, including as a folk instrument, in traditional festivals and ceremonies, and in shamanic rituals. It is often played to signal the start and end of events, and to accompany traditional dances and songs. The yokobue is also associated with courtesans and geishas in Japanese history, who used the instrument to entertain and signal status.

The yokobue is a relatively simple instrument, but one that requires a high degree of technical skill to play well. Its unique sound and historical significance have made it a popular instrument among ethnomusicologists and folk musicians. Despite its relatively rare use today, the yokobue remains an important part of Japan's rich musical heritage, and continues to be studied and appreciated by musicians and scholars around the world.