The validation of traditional knowledge to harvest sustainably the Udono reed materials for rozetsu of hichiriki

Abstract

The objective of this study is to validate the traditional knowledge of reeds for the hichiriki (traditional Japanese oboe) harvested from the Udono reed field. Hichiriki is one of main instruments in gagaku (Japanese imperial court music). The reeds at the Udono reed field in Osaka is used for high quality rozetsu (vibrating plate) for hichiriki. The reeds for hichiriki was selected not in the water area but in the land area for larger stem diameter and thicker flesh. It was found the area, for harvesting the reeds for hichiriki, has soft soil and can develop rhizomes to deep underground in comparison to other land area. It is shown that harvesters, with their long time experiences and skills, can select the most efficient places to harvest the best reeds. Therefore, it seems passing down the skill of harvesters contributing to the cultural continuation of gagaku which is an important intangible cultural property.