Another important instrument in traditional Korean music, the komun-go dates from about the sixth century and was possibly in existence earlier as found on early tomb paintings. How to play the instrument, technical details and the contextual uses of it have been written in detail since the 1490s. A complex tablature notation describing the music to be played on the komun'go has existed since the 1500s. The komun'go is used in chamber music and in virtuosic solo music or sanjo accompanied by percussion.

References:

Keith Howard, Korean Musical Instruments, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995).

Traditional Musical Instruments, Korean Heritage Series No.11, p.10 Korean Overseas Information Services, Republic of Korea, ISBN 89-7375-371-1 03910).

Robert C Provine, Komun'go in The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments, Stanley Sadie (ed.), Macmillan, London, 1984.

Made in Korea 2000

The komun'go is plucked by a bamboo stick or sultae held in the right hand. The strings are struck both up and down. The left hand fingers the fretted strings, usually the second and third strings are used only for the melody. The Komun'go is said to have been created by Wang, San-ak of the Koguryo Kingdom. Its prototype is found in the ancient murals of Koguryo. The literatis of the Chosun Kingdom particularly revered the komun'go.

Komun'go, six stringed zither, timber & silk, Korea, 2000. Komun'go or six stringed zither. Six silk strings stretched over sixteen fixed wooden frets. The hollow body forming the sond box has a slightly curved top usually made of paulownia wood. The back is of chestnut. The strings are anchored at each end of the instrument. The komun'go is plucked with a short bamboo rod held in the right hand.

Made: 2000

2000/104/8

2000

280 mm

230 mm