Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Koto (Japanese Harp), c. mid-1950s |
Object Name |
Harp |
Description |
Koto (Japanese harp), c. mid-1950s. Long string instrument made of pale wood and decorated with wood and fabric decals at each end. The harp is meant to be laid down on its long side, perpendicular to the musician. Wood body of harp is primarily made of one single piece of pale wood with an apparent darker grain - this piece is curved across its width and forms the top and two sides of the sound box of the instrument. The strings are stretched across the length of this piece over a bridge at each end. The bridges are made of a darker stained wood with edges in white, perhaps made of bone or ivory. At the far end of each bridge is a row of bronze-colored star-burst-shaped grommets through which the strings are looped into the underside of the instrument. The excess length of the string is coiled at one end. That end has a decorative crown-shaped detail in the darker wood with white border adhered to the surface, which continues into a tapered piece of red and gold brocade that stretches around the end of the harp to the underside. This end of the harp also as low curved foot made of the darker wood with white corner pieces. The other end of the harp has an opening that is covered with a decorated panel in the darker wood, painted with a rising red sun over water and a flying crane on the right. This side, including the panel, is then covered over with a fabric-covered wood sleeve, 3.5" in length. The sleeve is lined with a white polyester, and covered on the outside with a brocade in yellow, red, and silver, with a floral grid pattern. The underside of the sound box of the harp is made of another piece of the same light wood as the rest of the body, with an oval acoustic hole 3.5" x 5" near the end with the fabric sleeve. This end also has two notches in the corners that may be for attaching feet to this end. |
Date |
c. mid-1950s |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
2019.048.001 |
Dimensions |
H-73 W-10.5 D-4.5 inches |
Collection |
3D - Musical Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
none. |
Provenance |
Used by Laura Watanuki of San Mateo. |
Notes |
"The koto is a Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from the Chinese zheng, and similar to the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum, and the Vietnamese dàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about 180 centimetres (71 in) length, and made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa). They have 13 strings that are usually strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. There is also a 17-string variant. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving the white bridges before playing. To play the instrument, the strings are plucked using three finger picks (thumb, index finger, and middle finger)." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_(instrument) 05/10/2019] |
Search Terms |
Japan Japanese History Music Music Equipment Music Industry Musical Instrument Musical Instruments Watanuki, Laura |
Subjects |
Music Musical instruments |
People |
Watanuki, Laura |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Laura Watanuki |