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303 gottan

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Japan( Kagoshima )
cryptomeria body; L. 90.8 cm
3 silk strings
range: b-e"; tuning: b-e'-b'

An instrument styled after the shamisen, traditionally played by farmers, but also used by mendicant village musicians. Consists of a square wooden sound box made of cryptomeria and a long neck. The front face is also made of cryptomeria board. The strings are plucked forcefully with the nail of the index finger. Used in folksong and narrative performance.


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Music Department, Tokyo National University of the Arts, 12-8 Ueno Kouen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8714, Japan