Ichigen-kin (一絃琴)
This one string zither was probably invented during the 17th century and remained popular until the 1920's. Although a revival of the tradition is occuring, the instrument is still rarely heard. The player touches the silk string lightly with an ivory tube worn on the left middle finger. The string is plucked with a shorter, similar tube worn on the right index finger.
Artwork Details
- Title: Ichigen-kin (一絃琴)
- Maker: Kasuke Satake (Japanese, 19th century)
- Date: 19th century
- Geography: Shikoku Island, Kochi, Hachi district, Japan
- Culture: Japanese
- Medium: Wood, ivory, shell, coral, gut
- Dimensions: 12 3/8 × 47 1/4 × 5 1/2 in. (31.5 × 120 × 14 cm)
- Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-long zither
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1483
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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