Name of Instrument: qin

Maker / Brand:

Stearns Catalog #: 1479

Country of Origin: China

Region of Origin: Asia

Instrument Category: Chordophone

Date of Fabrication:

Location: CHO S 3

Description: From the 1921 Stearns Catalogue: This instrument, of the psaltery type, is said to have been invented by Fu Hsi. The body is made of wu t'ung wood; the top is rounded and the bottom is flat. In its earliest form it had five strings representing the elements. The silk strings run through jade pins at the bottom of the wider end, and are led over a bridge to the other end, where they are fastened to two large pegs at the bottom by means of which they can be drawn taut. The jade is not green in color, but of the cloudy yellow which distinguishes the "imperial" from the common jade. The thirteen studs on the face represent the twelve moons and the intercalary moon. The case is made of bluish-green satin embroidered with Chinese characters in black.

Former Catalog Number: 0992A

Research: Prof. Albert A. Stanley