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Nigenkin

Azuma-ryu nigen-kin; two stringed half tube zither. The long wooden body is of kiri wood (Paulownia tormentosa), hollowed out underneath. The arched upper surface is carved with nodes in imitation of bamboo with an applied disc of embroidered silk. There are thirty-one position markers, mostly of brass bars or studs, but also including eight coral studs. The two strings pass over arched wooden bridges lacquered black and are tuned from fluted horn pegs set in metal-bushed holes. A stamped inscription in Japanese gives the name of the maker: Kashiwa ya Takugi and the location of manufacture: Asakusa Ward. The instrument has a collapsible wooden stand and a box containing an ivory plectrum (tsume) for the right index finger, and a tubular ivory slide operated by the left hand.

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  • Materials:coral, gut, metal, horn, pigment, ivory, copper alloy, silk, wood
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  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:312.22 Heterochord half-tube zithers
  • Repository:Horniman Museum and Gardens
  • Measurements:overall: 1100 x 110 x 69 mm