Large, string instrument in the half-tube zither family known for being the national instrument of Japan. The body of the instrument is made from what appears to be a single piece of wood which is hollow in the middle, the inside of the instrument is visible through 2 sound holes on the bottom, one near each end; it is curved on the top and bottom and flat on the sides. Another type of wood is used for a rest on the bottom of one end of the instrument and for 2 low bridges at either end of the instrument where the strings are attached. There are 13 strings but only 12 bridges, presumably one has been lost; the strings appear to be made from a thick nylon thread; the bridges are made from white plastic and can be moved up and down the string in order to change the pitch. The strings are tied in two different ways, on one end the strings are tied around small rolls of paper inside of the instrument and come out through small holes ringed with metal, on this end of the instrument there is a removable cover made from white, orange and gold fabric, under which is a decorative painting of two birds flying; at the other end the strings are brought over the end of the instrument, through the sound hole, then back up through small holes ringed with metal near the bridge and tied off, the excess string is then carefully formed into 2 loops which are woven through the strings to keep them in place, this end also has a piece of orange, white and gold fabric which is decorative, but also serves to protect the wood from the pressure of the strings.