Kurobue

The Kurobue is a traditional, side-blown bamboo flute crafted from a single piece of cypress wood, carefully selected for its resonant properties and treated with the Yakisugi method. Its body is a rich, dark brown, with a subtle sheen from the deliberate charring process. The flute's length and shape are designed to produce a specific tone and pitch, with a subtle curve and carefully crafted embouchure hole.

The Kurobue's history is steeped in tragedy. It was once the instrument of a young girl, forced to practice for hours on end by her demanding parents. One fateful day, a firestorm swept through the land, claiming the girl's life and leaving behind only the flute as a testament to her existence.

The Kurobue is said to be a merciless instrument, rejecting those who cannot appreciate its beauty properly. To maintain a connection with the flute, one must play it every day, without error. Four mistakes, and the Kurobue unleashes a black, poisonous miasma from its body. The player, now entranced, is compelled to continue playing, unable to stop themselves from inhaling the deadly smoke.

Despite the danger, the Kurobue holds a tantalizing promise. For those who manage to master the flute, playing it with perfect technique and dedication, the Kurobue grants extraordinary abilities. The music becomes a conduit to manipulate the emotions of those who listen, evoking powerful memories, awakening dormant passions, or bringing solace to the sorrowful.

Moreover, the Kurobue allows its master to create shadowy, ethereal figures from the smoke of burning incense or candles. These figures seem to take on lives of their own, dancing and weaving in time with the music. As the player performs, the shadow figures begin to tell a story, their movements and gestures illustrating the emotions and themes of the melody.

The shadow figures are said to be fragments of the girl's spirit, brought forth by the music. They may depict scenes from her life, her joys and sorrows, or her ultimate demise in the firestorm. The figures can also take on symbolic forms, representing abstract concepts like love, loss, or longing.

As the musician plays, the shadow figures grow more vivid and detailed, seeming to develop their own personalities and motivations. Some claim to have seen the figures interact with each other, or even respond to the player's emotions and thoughts.

The Kurobue's powers come at a terrible cost, however. The player becomes increasingly entwined with the flute's dark energy, slowly losing themselves to its influence. The line between reality and madness blurs, and the musician becomes trapped in an endless pursuit of perfection, forever chasing the elusive goal of playing the Kurobue flawlessly.

The Kurobue's legend has grown, striking fear into the hearts of musicians who would dare to try and tame its power. Yet, the promise of its abilities remains a siren's call, luring in those who would seek to master the flute and unlock its secrets.

_{A symbolic piece called "Choking on Perfection" by Isao Kusama}

Inspired by Asmo