Gekkin
Alternate name(s)
- Short-neck lute, plucked
- Moon guitar
Date1875-1925 ca.
Place MadeJapan, Asia
Serial No.none
SignedLabel printed with Japanese characters on the back of the instrument.Markingsnone
DescriptionCircular, wooden body with three decorative, wooden cut-outs overlaid on the soundboard - the one on the left a reproduction. There are metal chimes enclosed within the body. Four (4) silk strings. Eight ivory frets, the last reinforced with wooden support. Rectangular piece of python skin protects wooden soundboard from the stroke of the plectrum. Stylized bat effigy on wooden pegbox finial. The gekkin is the Japanese descendent of the Chinese yueqin.
DimensionsOverall length: 675 mm
Width: 358 mm
Depth: 40 mm
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number02417
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