What is "shakuhachi"

n. (context musical instruments English) A Japanese flute which is tuned to a pentatonic scale is end-blown like a recorder instead of being held transversely like the Western transverse flute, originally used by Zen Buddhist Monks of the (term 普化禅 tr=ふけぜん, fuke zen sc=Jpan Japanese) sect in the practice of (term 吹禅 blowing meditation tr=すいぜん, suizen lang=ja sc=Jpan).

The is a Japanese end-blown flute.

It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 8th century and underwent a resurgence in the early Edo Period. The shakuhachi is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of .

The instrument is tuned to the minor pentatonic scale.