Changes

*''Japanese'': 胡弓 ''(kokyuu)''

*''Japanese'': 胡弓 ''(kokyuu)''

The ''kokyû'' is a Japanese stringed instrument akin to a version of the [[shamisen]] designed to be played with a bow, like a fiddle. It is a bit smaller than the shamisen, but is otherwise quite similar, being first introduced to Japan alongside the shamisen, in the early 17th century. The word ''kokyû'' is also used in Japanese to refer to any of a wide range of Chinese bowed fiddles, but most strictly speaking, there are separate names for each of those instruments, such as the ''erhu'' and ''huqin''.

The ''kokyû'' is a Japanese stringed instrument akin to a version of the [[shamisen]] designed to be played with a bow, like a fiddle. It is a bit smaller than the shamisen, but is otherwise quite similar, being first introduced to Japan alongside the shamisen, in the early 17th century. The word ''kokyû'' is also used in Japanese to refer to any of a wide range of Chinese bowed fiddles, but most strictly speaking, there are separate names for each of those instruments, such as the ''[[erhu]]'' and ''[[jinghu]]''.

The instrument is generally played by being held upright on one's knee, or between one's knees while kneeling on the floor, and moving the bow horizontally across the strings. Traditionally, the ''kokyû'' had three strings, like the shamisen, but four-stringed versions became more common in the 20th century.

The instrument is generally played by being held upright on one's knee, or between one's knees while kneeling on the floor, and moving the bow horizontally across the strings. Traditionally, the ''kokyû'' had three strings, like the shamisen, but four-stringed versions became more common in the 20th century.