Welcome to Ichigenkin.com

This site is discusses the Japanese ichigenkin and its family. Although not well known this instrument has a distinguished past, a insightful philosophy, and an introspective sound.

The ichigenkin is a simple instrument, with only one silk string, a tuning peg, a bridge and a plank as a soundboard. There is no resonating chamber, so the instrument is not loud. Yet the ichigenkin has a powerful voice, one that reaches very deep inside the listener, and moves them like no other instrument.

There are four instruments that have descended from the ichigenkin, the Yakumo-goto, the Azuma nigenkin, the sangenkin, and indirectly the taisho-goto.

We invite you to discover this fascinating instrument.