New Year's Sale! This is a tonkori, an Ainu stringed instrument. It is a traditional, slender five-stringed (rarely 3-6 strings) instrument of the Ainu people, mainly from Hokkaido and Sakhalin. It is made by hollowing out wood, and a glass bead is placed inside as a symbol of the "soul" to produce a good sound. The parts are likened to the human body. It is a traditional instrument in Ainu culture, played with an open-string method that uses only five tones, plucked with the fingers. This is a work by Tonkori Kobo Inonno of Naganuma. Originally a furniture craftsman, the craftsmanship is meticulous. The carvings are also delicate. It seems the artist has a two-year waiting list for orders. Made of old Japanese zelkova wood, carvings are placed all over the surface. The carvings are also magnificent. This is said to be the twin tonkori, number 99 and 100, from Tonkori Kobo Inonno, which were listed just before this one. Shamisen strings are strung on it. The strings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 from right to left. Tune it to D, G, D, A, and E, according to Ume Nishihira's tuning. Strings 1 and 3 are one octave higher than the others. It is painted and has Ainu patterns carved on the body. We also have Ainu kimonos, costumes, crafts, experience kits, and old Ainu folk tools for sale, so please take a look if you're interested. Ainu Folk instrument Tonkori Mukkuri Tonkori Kobo Inonno Five-stringed koto Stringed instrument Folk costume