Gogenkin

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, acquired in 1889, the *Gogenkin* is a striking 19th-century Japanese chordophone—a plucked long zither crafted from wood and silk. Measuring 106 cm in length, 13.5 cm in width, and 12.5 cm in depth, its slender, elegant form exemplifies the refined woodworking techniques of traditional Japanese instrument-making. The wooden body provides resonance, while silk strings offer a delicate, shimmering tone typical of East Asian zithers. As a cultural artifact from Japan, the *Gogenkin* reflects the artistry ...