Of wind instruments they have many styles of flutes and a trumpet, made of a conch shell.[150] The _cheng_ (small mouth organ) is also possessed by them. It is called in Corean dialect _saing-hwang_.[151] Gongs, tamtams, and noisy instruments of percussion, the Japanese possess in profusion; they have also a curious instrument, quite like the Egyptian sistrum,[152] formed of two sonorous metallic rings upon a light frame work, which give forth a tinkling and jingling upon being shaken, or struck with a small stick.[153] The _ko-kiou_ is a kind of violoncello played with a bow; the birva is a similar instrument, which is picked with a _plectrum_. The same plectrum is used in performing upon the _sam-sin_. The clarionet is used very frequently; it is made of bamboo, like the flute. There is also an eight-holed flageolet. Among the instruments of percussion, are wooden rattles; stone drums like bowls, which stand on low frames; a musical drum made of leather; the _tam-tam_, or portable tambourine; gongs of all shapes, such as shields, fishes, tortoises, etc., producing all tones grave and piercing; bells, and kettle drums. The tambourines which accompany the character dances, are sometimes played two at a time; one being held under the arm, the other in the left hand.[154] There is a picture extant, representing a Japanese concert, in which there is one melodious instrument (a flute) against _six_ instruments of percussion, such as bells, cymbals and drums.[155] The Japanese ladies not only play the various instruments, but study singing, assiduously. The language is well adapted to vocal efforts, being one of the most melodious and soft of the East; it approaches the Italian in its smoothness; it is monosyllabic,[156] but not varying with the pitch of the voice, as the Chinese does. (The written characters have been derived from the Chinese.) The very alphabet, or the nearest Japanese approach to it, is converted into a short song, which is characteristic of the materialistic views of the people. The poetic setting of the “Irova” (as this is called) runs thus:— “Color and light pass away In our world nothing is permanent The present day has disappeared In the profound abyss of nothingness. It was but the pale image of a dream; It causes in our bosoms no regret.”[157] Nothing can give a stronger picture of the philosophy of Buddhism and its influence upon the Japanese mind.