The small flute is a vertical wind instrument of the Wa ethnic group. The Wa language is called "Wagelo", "Weili" or "Live". Widely popular in Yunnan Ximeng, Cangyuan, Menglian, Lancang and other Wa inhabited areas.
More than 1,300 years ago, the little dude spread to Japan. Since the 20th year of Emperor Gaozu of the Sui Dynasty (AD 600), Japan has repeatedly sent "envoys to the Sui Dynasty" and "envoys to the Tang Dynasty" to China. The friendly exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly frequent, and many Chinese musical instruments have been introduced to Japan.
It is said that Prince Shotoku of Japan was very fond of the small solo flute and once played it himself. The Chinese small solo flute he used at that time is still preserved in Horyu-ji Temple in Nara. In the Shoso-in of Todaiji Temple in Nara, there are also 8 small flutes passed down from the Tang Dynasty in China.
The first small flute introduced to Japan was called "ancient small flute". It was not popular among the people for a long time, but as a "noble musical instrument", it was only used in court music, or as a dignitary. It is also called "Vaglo". It was not until 1871 that the "Puhua Little Dudi" was introduced to the Japanese folk.