The bamboo end-blown flute now known as the 'shakuhachi' was developed in Japan in the 16th century and is called the "fuke shakuhachi" (普化尺八). A bamboo flute known as the "kodai shakuhachi" (Ancient shakuhachi, 古代尺八), which is quite different from the current style of shakuhachi, was introduced to Japan from China in the 7th century and died out in the 10th century. After a long blank period, the "hitoyogiri shakuhachi" (一節切尺八) appeared in the 15th century, and then in the 16th century, the "fuke shakuhachi" was developed in Japan. The "fuke shakuhachi" flourished in the 18th century during the Edo period, and eventually the "hitoyogiri shakuhachi" also died out. The "Fuke shakuhachi" developed in Japan is longer and thicker than the "Kodai shakuhachi" and has one finger hole less. It is longer and thicker than "hitoyogiri shakuhachi" and is superior in volume, range, scale and tone quality. Today, since the shakuhachi generally refers only to "fuke shakuhachi", the theory that the shakuhachi is an instrument unique to Japan is widely accepted.