Description: A traditional thirteen-string Japanese musical instrument (Koto), the wood with a beautiful swirling pattern. With modern nylon strings added later, five strings strung over movable bridges. The sides and margins decorated in gold hiramaki-e with scrolling vines and flowers. The ends inlaid, the lower end with geometrical designs in ivory and precious stones, the upper end with inlays and a golden hiramaki-e bird. Condition: Signs of age with small chips and detachment of inlay, the base scratched and with a break - stable good condition Provenance: From an Austrian private collection