A new Star Wars reference book finally reveals the significance of Yoda's blissl -- that is, the small pipe instrument the Jedi Master can be seen wearing around his neck in the Original Trilogy.
During its second panel at New York Comic Con 2022, Lucasfilm Publishing revealed a two-page spread from Star Wars: 100 Objects by Kristin Baver, which is currently slated to hit bookstores on April 4, 2023. The spread pulls back the curtain on Yoda's blissl, revealing that the instrument was, well, instrumental to Yoda maintaining his psychological well-being during his exile on the swamp planet of Dagobah. Until now, Star Wars fan have known very little about the blissl, with even its Wookieepedia page amounting to a mere blurb, stating only that it was, in fact, a small instrument that Yoda owned.
"Dagobah's lush ecosystem, strong in the Force, also provided [Yoda] with the means to create the blissl," the new excerpt from 100 Objects reads. "This tiny pipe instrument from his days of isolation suggests that Yoda instinctively understood the psychological benefits of creating an artifact and experiencing a moment of joy, despite the widespread turmoil afflicting the galaxy. It's intriguing to think of Yoda, always deeply in touch with the Force, alone on Dagobah yet surrounded by a landscape teeming with life, and finding some solace in music. Perhaps, during his final days, Yoda would have essayed a tune on the blissl, adding his own melody to the chorus of the natural world around him."
Amid the fall of both the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), Yoda was one of the few Jedi to survive Order 66, subsequently going into exile on Dagobah. He was eventually sought out by Luke Skywalker, who was in search of Jedi training, during the events of The Empire Strikes Back (1980). At first glance, it would seem that Yoda's attempts to keep his sanity intact through music failed, though his erratic behavior was soon revealed to be a ruse -- a means of testing Luke's patience. Yoda eventually died during the events of Return of the Jedi (1983), though later appeared as a Force ghost in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). His exile on Dagobah has been further touched on in other projects, such as the animated series Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018) and in an upcoming comic book series.
As for 100 Objects, the upcoming reference book allows readers to "[s]ee how these artefacts, and many more, impacted key characters and events. From revered heirlooms such as Darth Vader’s mask and the Skywalker lightsaber to a Tusken gaderffii stick and a clone trooper’s helmet, each carefully chosen object has its own compelling story to tell."
The synopsis continues, "Presented chronologically, full-color images illustrate every entry, while the accompanying essay explores the background and resonance of each piece. Star Wars: 100 Objects provides an exclusive glimpse at props from the Lucasfilm Archives and is a unique, wonderful way to experience the richness of the timeless Star Wars saga."
Star Wars: 100 Objects by Kristin Baver goes on sale April 4, 2023 from Penguin Random House.
Source: StarWars.com