English
DonateMembershipTickets

Kŏmun'go

ca. 1980
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
This plucked zither, traditionally a scholar's instrument, is said to have been invented around the 4th century by a government official, whose playing enticed a black crane to dance to his music. Two strings produce the melody; the others are drones.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Kŏmun'go
  • Maker: Kim Kwang Ju (?)
  • Date: ca. 1980
  • Geography: Korea
  • Culture: Korean
  • Medium: Wood, various materials
  • Dimensions: H. 5 3/4 × L. 60 1/16 × W. 7 5/8 in. (14.6 × 152.6 × 19.3 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-long zither
  • Credit Line: Gift of Daewoo Group, 1981
  • Object Number: 1981.28.1
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
Chongak Kayagum, Kim Kwang Ju  Korean, Wood, silk, cotton, Korean
Kim Kwang Ju
ca. 1980
Jwago, Kyung Suk Park  Korean, Wood, canvas, metal, hide, Korean
Kyung Suk Park
20th century
Koto (箏), Various woods, ivory, metal, nylon, tortoiseshell, abalone, lacquerwork, Japanese
Japanese
20th century
Bassoon, Dominique Antony Porthaux  French, Maple, brass, French
Dominique Antony Porthaux
1790–1800
Sanjo Kayagum, Kim Kwang Ju (?) Korean, Wood, various materials, Korean
Kim Kwang Ju
ca. 1980

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.