Who created "Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )"?

Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 ) was created by Asano Tōshichi in 19th century.

When was "Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )" created?

This artwork was created 19th century.

What medium is "Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )"?

Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 ) is Bamboo or kiri wood.

Is "Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )" in the public domain?

Yes, Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 ) is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )

Q: Who created "Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 )"?

Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 ) was created by Asano Tōshichi in 19th century.

Q: What medium is "Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 )"?

Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 ) is Bamboo or kiri wood.

Q: Is "Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 )" in the public domain?

Yes, Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 ) is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Asano Tōshichi

19th century

Medium

Bamboo or kiri wood

Dimensions

L. 108 cm (42-1/2 in.); W. 10 - 11 cm (3-15/16 - 4-5/16 in.); String L.: 82 cm (32-3/16 in.)

Classification

Chordophone-Zither-plucked-long zither

Culture

Japanese

Department

Musical Instruments

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889

Accession Number

89.4.114

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, the *Nigenkin (二弦琴)*, crafted by Asano Tōshichi in the 19th century, exemplifies exquisite Japanese woodworking artistry. This rare two-stringed zither, a plucked chordophone, measures an elegant 108 cm in length, with a slender body of bamboo or prized kiri (paulownia) wood—materials chosen for their resonance and lightweight strength. Its narrow width of 10-11 cm and 82 cm string length evoke the refined simplicity of traditional Japanese design, prioritizing functionality and acoustic purity. Histor...

Nigenkin ( 二弦 琴 )

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Nigenkin ( 二弦琴 )