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Japanese stringed instruments: Siamisen, kokiu and biwa
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Japanese stringed instruments: Siamisen, kokiu and biwa
Japanese stringed instruments: Siamisen, kokiu and biwa.. Chromolithograph from an illustration by William Gibb from A.J. Hipkins Musical Instruments, Historic, Rare and Unique, Adam and Charles Black, Edinburgh, 1888. Alfred James Hipkins (1826-1903) was an English musicologist who specialized in the history of the pianoforte and other instruments
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Media ID 14217374
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Alfredjameshipkins Biwa Fiddle Lute Musicalinstruments Rareandunique Shamisen Williamgibb
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This chromolithograph depicts three exquisite Japanese stringed instruments: the siamisen, kokiu, and biwa. Each instrument showcases the rich cultural heritage and artistry of Japan's musical tradition. The siamisen, also known as the shamisen, is the most widely used traditional Japanese stringed instrument. It resembles a banjo with a long neck and three strings, which are played with a plectrum called a bachi. The siamisen's body is typically made of wood, and its sound is produced by a bridge that vibrates the strings when the plectrum strikes them. To the left of the siamisen is the kokiu, a type of Japanese fiddle. Its body is made of a gourd covered with animal skin, and it features a long, curved neck with four strings. The kokiu is played with a bow, and its sound is unique due to the gourd body's resonance. On the right side of the image is the biwa, a Japanese lute with a pear-shaped body and a long neck. The biwa is played with both hands, plucking the strings with the fingers of the right hand while strumming the strings with a plectrum attached to the thumb of the left hand. The biwa is often associated with traditional Japanese storytelling and music. This beautiful illustration was created by William Gibb for A.J. Hipkins' Musical Instruments, Historic, Rare and Unique, published by Adam and Charles Black in Edinburgh in 1888. Alfred James Hipkins (1826-1903) was a renowned English musicologist who specialized in the history of the pianoforte and other instruments. This chromolithograph is a testament to the intricate details and historical significance of these Japanese stringed instruments.
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