A woman playing the gekkin (an instrament of Chinese origin)

A woman playing the gekkin (an instrament of Chinese origin)

The gekkin (moon harp) is a Chinese instrument from the modern period. It was used to perform Chinese music in Japan from the end of the Edo Period through the Meiji Period. The moon harp was so named because its shape resembled the full moon.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number79‐32‐0]

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin) in front of a teahouse

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin) in front of a teahouse

A girl plays a gekkin (moon lute) while another girl looks on. A reed screen is leaning against the wall to block the sunlight. Mt. Fuji is visible over the water.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number51‐109‐0]

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

The word gekkin (moon koto) originates from the shape of the full moon and the sound similar to that of the koto. It is a Chinese string instrument that appeared in the Sung dynasty. It was introduced to Japan during the Edo era and gained popularity during the Meiji era. The instrument is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:A. Farsari, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number18‐5‐0]

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

The word gekkin (moon harp) is derived from the body shaped in a circle resembling the full moon, and the sound resembling the koto. A Chinese string instrument dating back to the Sung dynasty, it was brought to Japan in the Edo era.==Date:Middle Meiji, Place:unknown, Photo:Kusakabe Kinbei, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number1‐8‐0]