I guess when this flute was made, that the flute players had to defend themselves!
Weapon in the key of D?
That was a dark time in Flute history.
Whats with the two embochure holes?
if so, what is the idea of the extra hole??? there are eight… hm?
berti
Maybe a trill for third octave? If you used this hole, get ready with the weapon…
That was a dark time in Flute history.
Whats with the two embochure holes?
Well it is Japanese, around WW2 time frame, so maybe it was a army issue?
I think the upper hole is the emb. hole?[/quote]
[/quote]I just thought of something, wich finger did they use to trill?
Howsabout, a cattle prod for the fluting shepherd?
…or a walking stick flute for a midget with a removable end to expose the ice tip?
8th hole…dizi, missing rice paper
Di zi?
Don’t matter. I want one!
Shikomibue: You know you’ve been waiting for it, so here’s the flute as a weapon, typically these were either self-defense versions made with iron, or had a hidden weapon concealed in the flute.
A ninja weapon…
Hey Jon, remember that flute I requested?
If you haven’t started on it yet this gives me an idea for “personalizing” it.
A Delrin flute is a weapon in itself! 
Rumour has it that the Komuso made shakuhachi from the root end of bamboo so they could be used as a weapon. My 2.25 shakuhachi is a very solid piece of bamboo, and would make a great weapon (in the right hands!).
Also, see: http://www.e-budokai.com/articles/weapons.htm
PS Jon C, given your bodhidharma avatar, you should be an expert on this topic!
As Denny mentioned, it is a Dizi the extra hole is for a membrane. It glued over the hole between the embouchure and the finger holes. It gives it a buzz when played. Perhaps it sounds like a kazoo crossed with a flute.
Looking at the holes it might not play in a scale digestable for westerners’, or anyone’s, ears.
peace,
Sonja
What about your wood flutes, Jon 
? Do they contain secret compartments too 
? Oh, I’m so relieved I asked for a pistol case 
Jon, I want a flute weapon like that too! If nothing else it’s ideal for puncturing the bodhran of the guy sitting next to you.
I would have guessed it was a busker’s flute. The spike would be to retrieve the bills dropped on the ground by passersby. Of course it would also be used to guard the stash as it grew.
Jim, would that work on the street…?
Your theory intrigues me, but perhaps it was not just for bills.
What a great idea! That would come in handy with the pesky thumping Bodhran!
When I played with a group, the Bates St Band,
we had people try to run off with our tip jar.
So, yes, the flute weapon might have come
in handy, though personally I would prefer an AK 47.
What I do now is take the money out of the jar
as it comes in, except for a couple of bills
and change.