Chiba (instrument)


Chiba is a Chinese vertical end-blown flute and one type of xiao. It is one of the oldest Chinese woodwind instruments. Unlike the northern xiao, it bears resemblance to most of the southern xiao, in that it is shorter, wider, has an open mouthpiece, slightly conical, and generally has a root end.
Of the three main types of southern xiao it is the one that most closely resembles the Japanese shakuhachi. Most nanxiao have a "notched" mouthpiece that is either U-shaped or V-shaped, whereas the chiba has an angled edge instead, giving it a far breathier sound, like that of the shakuhachi. A possible distinction between shakuhachi and chiba is that most modern shakuhachi have an ivory inlay in the mouthpiece, whereas the chiba does not. Shakuhachi also typically only have five large finger holes, whereas chiba may have from five to eight finger holes, emulating the design of other Chinese xiao.