Skip to main content
RESTRICTED: For reference use
View: a
Lute (shamisen) and plectrum (bachi)
RESTRICTED: For reference use View: a

Lute (shamisen) and plectrum (bachi)

19th century
Object PlaceJapan
Medium/TechniqueShitan wood, cat skin
DimensionsLength 98 cm, width 22.2 cm, depth 9.8 cm (Length 38 9/16 in., width 8 3/4 in., depth 3 7/8 in.)
Credit LineLeslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession number17.2152a-b
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsMusical instruments
InscriptionsIn ink on spike: [stamp] / [three Japanese characters]; paper label on inside of body: [three Japanese characters]; in ink on inside of body and at join of neck: [single Japanese character]ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)