Charumera is the name of a kind of flute brought in Japan almost 400 years ago from
Portugal. It is cone shaped with double reeds. (See the right photo). The
name of charumera is believed to have been corrupted from a Portuguese word Charamela meaning "reed." Charumera was used by soba yatai (Yonaki-soba)
originally around 150 years ago, then after several decades ramen yatai
started using it. The melody of "Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do,Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do-Re"
is strongly associated with Ramen yatai in Japanese's mind.
It is quite rarely to hear the sound because the number of Yatai (especially
wandering ones) has been decreased. Even if you find Yatai, you will find
them playing a cassette player. It is said that there are only one or two
Yatai actually playing the real charumera all over Japan.
Now let's look at the package of the instant noodle of Charumera closely.
The guy looks to be playing the bulge not Charumera ! Another mystery,
isn't it? |