{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-chikuzen-biwa-4-string-kiri-wood-lute-moon-inlay-39-l","title":"Vintage Japanese Chikuzen Biwa 4-String Kiri Wood Lute Moon Inlay 39″L","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Japanese Chikuzen Biwa (筑前琵琶): Kiri and Mulberry Wood Lute with Crescent Moon Inlays\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eJapan, Showa period, early-to-mid 20th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 39″L × 13.5″W (99 × 34 cm), typical for the type\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis is a Japanese chikuzen biwa (筑前琵琶), a four-stringed lute with a pear-shaped body, kiri (paulownia) wood soundboard, and a bent-back pegbox fitted with four tuning pegs. Two crescent moon sound holes are inlaid in bone or ivory-imitation material below the strings, and the instrument has been fitted with new strings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe chikuzen biwa emerged in the Meiji era as a lighter, more melodic alternative to the older satsuma biwa, favored for accompanying narrative song (biwa-uta). Body size was traditionally built to suit the player's vocal range and hand size, from around 90 cm for higher voices to 105 cm for deeper ones, with a mulberry (kuwa) body prized for its hardness against the soft paulownia soundboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese chikuzen biwa (筑前琵琶), four-stringed plucked lute\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction or Decoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kiri (paulownia) wood soundboard, mulberry (kuwa) body and neck; bent-back pegbox with four tuning pegs, bone or ivory-style crescent moon sound hole inlays, new strings fitted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan, Showa period, early-to-mid 20th century\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 39″L × 13.5″W (99 × 34 cm), typical for the type\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wood shows a warm, even patina consistent with age and playing use; no cracks or losses noted in photos. Strings are new.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shogun's Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67579476377917,"sku":null,"price":485.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/2348\/3709\/files\/F4D0BAFD-0EB5-4459-B9D3-C04290828797_1_105_c_07538872-9603-43e9-acd7-ded15cfac26c.jpg?v=1790381533","url":"https:\/\/shogunsgallery.com\/products\/vintage-japanese-chikuzen-biwa-4-string-kiri-wood-lute-moon-inlay-39-l","provider":"Shogun's Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}