Pictorial, music and other art pieces of the Korean people are characteristically clear, soft and mild. Jotae (fife) is one of their traditional musical instruments embodying such characteristics.
The instrument dates back to the period of Koguryo (277 BC–AD 668). It is depicted on several tomb murals of the same period which are on the world heritage list.
Today jotae has undergone improvement, and it is widely played for solo, ensemble and concert. It also plays an important role in orchestras that combine traditional instruments with Western ones.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea places importance on traditional instruments as part of the efforts to preserve, inherit and develop its national culture.
