Kabura-ya (鏑矢, lit. 'turnip[-headed] arrow') is a type of Japanese arrow used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kabura-ya were arrows which whistled when shot[1] and were used in ritual archery exchanges before formal medieval battles.
Like a wind instrument, the sound was created by a specially carved or perforated bulb of deer horn or wood attached to the tip. In English, these are often called "whistling-bulb arrows", "messenger arrows", or "signal arrows." Kabura literally translates to "turnip", and thus the Japanese term technically means 'turnip[-shaped] arrows'. The Chinese xiangjian (sometimes pronounced and written mingdi) was quite similar, and until the end of the Warlord Era were commonly used by bandits to announce the gang's approach.
In Shinto, the sound made by the kabura-ya arrow in mid-flight is thought to ward off evil influences. Hence, it is used in Shinto rites to purify locations such as shrine grounds and parks. Other sacred bows similarly used in Shinto rituals are the hama yumi and the azusa yumi.