竜りゅう笛てき

りゅ

う

て

き

Meanings

dragon flute; ryūteki

A medium-pitched transverse flute made of bamboo, wrapped in bark, with seven finger holes. Used in gagaku (Japanese court music). The alternate reading りょうてき is also encountered.

雅が楽がくでは、竜りゅう笛てきが旋せん律りつの中ちゅう心しんを担になうことが多おおい。
In gagaku, the ryūteki often carries the main melody.
彼かれは竜りゅう笛てきの音ね色いろに魅み了りょうされて、習ならい始はじめた。
He was captivated by the sound of the ryūteki and started learning it.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Kanji

竜dragon, imperial
笛flute, clarinet, pipe
龍dragon, imperial

Related words

篳ひち篥りき
A double-reed instrument also used in gagaku, smaller and higher-pitched than the ryūteki.
笙しょう
A mouth organ used in gagaku, producing chords rather than a single melody line like the ryūteki.

Written forms

竜笛Usage33%
- りゅうてき
  Standard modern kanji spelling.
- りょうてき
龍笛Usage67%
- りゅうてき
  Traditional kanji spelling using 龍 instead of 竜; also common in gagaku contexts.
- りょうてき
りょうてき

Etymology

The name 竜笛 (dragon flute) is said to come from the instrument's shape or the sound resembling a dragon's cry, but the exact origin is uncertain. It is a traditional Japanese instrument used in gagaku since ancient times.