Charumera

Description

The word 'Charumera' reminds Japanese of one of instant ramen brand. It is the representative product of Myojo Foods. But Charumera originally is not a name of instant ramen. Charumera is the name of a kind of flute brought in Japan almost 400 years ago from Portugal. It is cone shaped with double reeds. The name of charumera is believed to have been corrupted from a Portuguese word Charamela meaning 'reed.' Charumera was used by soba yatai (Yonaki-soba) originally around 150 years ago, then after several decades ramen yatai started using it. The melody of 'Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do,Do-Re-Mi-Re-Do-Re' is strongly associated with Ramen yatai in Japanese's mind.