Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Koto (Japanese Harp) Accessories Box, c. 1953-1957 |
Object Name |
Case, Musical Instrument |
Description |
Koto (Japanese Harp) Accessories Box, c. 1953-1957. Silk(?) fabric covered wooden box (A) has a decorative motif on the outside of woven white, orange and green flowers with gold leaves and vines, all on a red ground. A decorative silver-colored scallop-shaped latch secures the box closed while two brass hinges at back allow the lid to swing open. Inside the box, pale peach-colored velvet fabric covers wooden dividers with sixteen slots for Koto bridges (B-O) and a larger slot with a shallow divider for two wooden legs (P-Q). On bridge (B) is made of wood with an ivory or bone lining on the underside and in inlaid rectangular piece of ivory (?) at top. The other 15 bridges (C-O) are solid ivory-colored plastic, all of the same size--the wooden bridge is slightly smaller. The bridges would be placed on the koto beneath the strings and can alter the pitch of the note depending on placement. The legs (P-Q) are wooden, triangular in shape with a knob at the tip that rests on the floor and a smooth flat top with a metal T-shaped clasp for attaching to the koto at the playing end of the instrument--other end would stay sitting on the floor so that the koto sits at an angle. Inside vertical corner of legs are lined with a thin piece of white ivory or plastic. |
Date |
c. 1953-1957 |
Catalog Number |
2022.039.026A-Q |
Dimensions |
H-1.875 W-9.75 D-11 inches |
Dimension Details |
1.875 x 9.75 x 11 (box A open); 2.75 x 9.625 x 5.375 (box A closed); 2 x 2 x .625 (wooden bridge B); 2.25 x 2 x.75 (plastic bridges C-O); 3.5 x 2 x 2 (wooden legs Q-P) |
Collection |
3D - Musical Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
none |
Provenance |
Used by Laura Watanuki of San Mateo. |
Search Terms |
Japanese Music Musical Instruments Watanuki, Laura |
Subjects |
Harps Music Musical instrument cases Musical instruments |
People |
Watanuki, Laura |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Laura Watanuki |