I was going thru the dictionary researching details for the next blog and found this character.
Intrigued I checked it out on a few more web lexicons and different hanzi kanji dicitonaries.
AFTER I finished the svg / png I worked out that the lexicons that state the LAI was a pipe with three reeds may have typos. I now suspect three reed is a mistyping for FREE REED.
I don't know what the modern equivalent of a LAI pipe is but its something like a woodwind with a reed insert at the mouthpiece like the OBOE ?
There is a Laotian instrument called a KHENE and the word used to describe its modes of sound is LAI.
A loan from Chinese perhaps?
If anoyone has a picture of a LAI or knows what the modern equivalent is please SHARE!?
