Japanese horagai, a conch shell used for religious purposes or as a signal for samurai. Horagai (法 螺 貝) (or jinkai 陣 貝) are large conch shells, usually from Charonia tritonis, that have been used as trumpets in Japan for many centuries.

The horagai is the only surviving lip-reed aerophone instrument of Japan (gallery #1 and detail #1). This end-blown conch shell natural trumpet is used in different contexts: as a ritual, signaling, and protective instrument for sects of esoteric Buddhism and Shugendo (mountain asceticism shamanism); by fishermen strictly for signaling; and as ...

Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi teaching how the Yamabushi on Mt. Haguro of the Dewa Sanzan, the three sacred mountains of Dewa play the Horagai, or the Yamab...

May 20, 2015 · Although shell trumpets can be found in various locations around the world, the Japanese versions – Horagai (法螺貝) or jinkai (陣貝) are a bit unusual. They consist, not only of the large conch shell but also of a wooden or bronze mouthpiece that allows the instrument to make a series of sounds, as opposed to only one loud blast or note.

HORAGAI is to purify objective of prayer as well as practitioners themselves. Horagai is inseparable from Shugendo. Its origin is conch shells among ritual articles used in ancient India and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Even in modern India, conch shell trumpet called "Shankha" is used in Brahmanic and Hindu Homa rituals.

Horagai, with the scientific name Charonia tritonis, is a type of snall that belongs to the Cymatiidae family, formerly classified under Cymatiidae, Mesogastropoda. It is the largest snail living in Japan. It is one of the natural predators of onihitode (crown-thorn starfishs).

The Horagai (法螺貝) is a traditional Japanese wind instrument crafted from large shells, typically Charonia tritonis. Used for centuries, the Horagai has served various roles in Japanese culture, from religious ceremonies to military signaling.

Nov 25, 2012 · Horagai - Japanese Shell Trumpet Horagai 法螺貝 are big conch shells used as a trumpet in old Japan. We can notice them sometimes even in Japanese films and dramas.

Horagai (法 螺 貝) (or jinkai 陣 貝) are large conch shells, usually from Charonia tritonis, that have been used as trumpets in Japan for many centuries. The instrument, which has served a number of purposes throughout Japanese history, has been given a number of Japanese names depending on its function.

Apr 19, 2011 · Since the oldest times, a strange instrument was used in Japan, made from a large conch shell, with bronze (or wooden) mouthpiece at the apex of the shell’s spire. The Buddhist monks used this instrument, called horagai in various religious activities.