The shakuhachi (尺八) is a Japanese end-blown bamboo-flute. It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 7th Century and reached its peak in the Edo period (17th–18th Century). The shakuhachi  was used by the monks of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (吹禅, blowing meditation). The instrument is tuned to the minor pentatonic scale.