Shinobue

It is said to have originated in China and used in "Dengaku" during the Heian Period.
Dengaku is an agricultural ceremony practiced during those times to celebrate rice planting by dancing to the tunes played by flutes and Japanese drums (Taiko).
Back in those days, shinobue was an attraction during village celebrations and played for entertaining the regional society (excerpts from "The fascination of the horizontal flute" by Hyakunosuke Fukuhara).