Project Description
Conch shell trumpets have been present in Japanese history since the Nara Period (710-794 CE). The horagai, the name given to the traditional instrument, is a culturally significant musical tool in Japan because of its pitch frequency, unique shape, symbolism, and use in religious practices. The instrument’s primary material, the shell, is from the Chronia tritonisspecies. The shell’s thickness, internal cavity, and conical shape contribute to its resonant sound. The addition of the mouthpiece has sparked some controversy about whether the horagai belongs to the brass or wind family because of lip vibration techniques required to produce the most authentic sound. Today, the instrument is used by musicians to create Japanese folk music and as a signal in traditional ceremonial events.
– Mary Covell, Class of 2024