Tonkari (トンコリ)
Played by the indigenous Ainu people of northern Japan to accompany ritual, song and dance, the tonkori an instrument on the verge of extinction by the 1970s. Today it is being revived as an important part of Ainu heritage. The star shaped soundhole contained a ball that gave the instrument its soul.
Artwork Details
- Title: Tonkari (トンコリ)
- Date: late 19th century
- Geography: Japan
- Culture: Japanese (Ainu)
- Medium: Wood
- Dimensions: L. 30 × W. 3 in. (76.2 × 7.6 cm)
- Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-unfretted
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.133
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Thai
19th century
Shigemoto, Isohachi
ca. 1875
Indian
19th century
Iranian (Persian)
ca. 1880
Kodenji Hayashi
ca. 1873
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.