Biwa

ca. 1891

Not on view

One of a matching set of three stringed instruments that are decorated with a laquered design showing roosters and flowers. The biwa and shamisen (called samisen in Kyoto and Osaka) both use triangular-shaped plectrum, called bachi, while the koto is plucked with picks (tsumi) worn on the fingers. These instruments were not intended to be played, but were probably made as decorative gifts.
See also 69.271.2 (shamisen), 69.271.3 (koto)

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Biwa
Maker: Wakamura workshop
Date: ca. 1891
Geography: Kyoto, Japan
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Wood, lacquer, gold, white coral?, leather, ivory
Dimensions: L. 30 11/16 × W. 11 3/4 in. (78 × 29.9 cm)
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
Credit Line: Gift of the Estate of Mary Flagler Cary, 1969
Object Number: 69.271.1a, b
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

By Wakamura workshop

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Han Koto, Wakamura workshop, Paulownia wood, lacquer, red coral, Japanese — Han Koto
Wakamura workshop
ca. 1891

Gong Held by Oni, Metal, wood, lacquer, polychrome, Japanese — Gong Held by Oni
Japanese
late 19th century

Koto (箏), Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan Japanese, Various woods, ivory and tortoiseshell inlays, gold and silver inlays, metalwork, cloth, laquer, paper,, Japanese — Koto (箏)
Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan
Gotō Yūjō
early 17th century

Koto (箏), Various woods, ivory, metal, nylon, tortoiseshell, abalone, lacquerwork, Japanese — Koto (箏)
Japanese
20th century

Satsuma Biwa (薩摩琵琶), Wood, mother-of-pearl and ivory, Japanese — Satsuma Biwa (薩摩琵琶)
Japanese
ca. 1800

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