Guan zi
Chinese, 20th century
Maker unknown

Known as bili in earlier periods, the guan zi is the short oboe of China.
It is played with a double reed. Whereas the instrument is usually made of bamboo in the south, the instrument is commonly made of hard wood in the north, and sometimes carved to look like bamboo. Today the guan zi is found throughout China and is used in the popular folk music genre gu chui (drum and wind music), as well as in Buddhist and Taoist music.

Tube of hardwood, carved to resemble bamboo. Cylindrical bore. Seven finger holes and one thumb hole. Brass ferrules at either end of tube. Overall length 11.7 cm; length of tube 9.8 cm; length of reed 1.9 cm.

Collection Purchase: The Associates Fund
Accession No. 3475.1980