Tonkori

The "tonkori" (katakana: トンコリ) is a plucked string instrument played by the Ainu people of Hokkaidō, northern Japan and Sakhalin. It is unfretted and has between three and five strings which are not stopped but instead played "open." The instrument is believed to have been developed in the Karafuto region of Sakhalin.

The instrument is constructed of Jezo Spruce with strings made of gut or vegetable fiber. Its shape is traditionally said to resemble a woman's body, and the corresponding words are used for its parts.

The most prominent "tonkori" performer is Oki Kano, who often uses the instrument in contemporary and cross-cultural performances and recordings. [http://www.tonkori.com/disc/index_eng.html]

External links

* [http://www.tonkori.com/about/index_eng.html Tonkori page] from Oki Kano site

Listening

* [http://www.tonkori.com/disc/index_eng.html Oki Kano recordings page]