Ichigen-kin (一絃琴)

Kasuke Satake

19th century · Wood, ivory, shell, coral, gut · Musical Instruments

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.

Artist

Kasuke Satake

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, ivory, shell, coral, gut

Culture

Japanese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889