Nohkan (Noh Flute) Instrument Resin Flute Plastic Nohkan Set of resin Nohkan tube Excellent condition with no noticeable stains☆ Length: 400mm Outer diameter: 24mm (head) Inner diameter: 13mm (end) The reason it's called the flute that summons the gods The Nohkan is also known as the "flute that summons the gods," and its roots are said to be in the stone flute (iwabue) used in rituals during the Jomon period. Noh itself is a dance-drama centered on characters that are not of this world, such as gods and the dead, and the "hishigi" of the Nohkan, a high-pitched, screaming-like sound, is blown to invite them onto the stage. The Nohkan is used not only in Noh, but also in Kabuki, Yose-bayashi (comic storytelling music), and Gion-bayashi (Gion festival music). It looks similar to the ryuteki (dragon flute), but the decisive difference is the "nodo" (throat) part. The "nodo" is a tube about 2mm thick inserted between the mouthpiece where breath is blown and the first finger hole. Because of this part, the Nohkan has a unique scale. By changing the way you blow, even with the same finger placement, you can get low and high notes, and the extremely high-pitched "hishigi" sound.