How the kokyū makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the kokyū belongs to the lutes: strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck – the family of the guitar, violin, sitar and oud.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
The kokyū (胡弓) is the only traditional Japanese string instrument played with a bow. A variant of the instrument also exists in Okinawa, called kūchō (胡弓) in Okinawan.
The kokyū, like the shamisen, has its origins in Okinawa. Although it is similar to Chinese huqin, it actually came to Okinawa via the rebab from Indonesia and Malaysia.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a kokyū sound like?
As one of the lutes, its sound comes from the way strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck.
What type of instrument is the kokyū?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.312-7).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q249105 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Kokyū – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Kokyuu – CC BY-SA 4.0