Sho

19th century

Not on view

The sho, the Japanese mouth organ descended from the Chinese sheng, is used in gagaku (court music). Air blown through the projecting mouthpiece circulates through the lacquer air chamber activating tiny rectangular metal reeds mounted in the sides of some of the tubes. The tubes are arranged symbolically in the form of folded phoenix wings.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Exhibition History

References

Title: Sho
Period: Early Tokugawa period
Date: 19th century
Geography: Japan
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Bamboo, wood, metal
Dimensions: L. longest pipe 45.4 cm (17-7/8 in.); L. shortest pipe 18.1 cm (7-1/8 in.)
Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-mouth organ
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1968
Object Number: 68.62.2
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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