Mukkuri - Mukkuri (English spelling)

Ainu Jew's Harp. A vibrating valve is made by cutting a thin, tongue-like piece in the center of a small piece of bamboo about 15 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, and 2-5 mm thick. A hole is drilled at the base of the valve and a string with a short stick (about 3 cm) is tied to it. The player holds the instrument with the fingers of his left hand and places the tip of the vibrating valve near his mouth, while holding the stick with the fingers of his right hand and pulling or loosening the string to vibrate the valve, which resonates and amplifies the sound in the mouth. It is a solo instrument mainly used by women, and can produce a variety of pitches and tones by changing the shape of the mouth and adjusting the breathing method. It often imitates natural sounds such as the sound of rain or birds singing.

[Yoichi Yamada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アイヌの口琴(こうきん)。長さ15センチメートル、幅1～1.5センチメートル、厚さ2～5ミリメートル程度の竹の小片の中央部を細長く舌状に切り込んで振動弁とし、弁の基部に穴をあけて短い棒（約3センチメートル）をつけた紐(ひも)を結ぶ。奏者は、左手指で楽器を持って振動弁の先端付近を口に当て、右手指で棒を持って紐を引っ張ったり緩めたりしながら弁を振動させ、その音を口腔(こうこう)内で共鳴・増幅させる。おもに女性用の独奏楽器で、口腔の形の変化や呼吸法の調節によってさまざまな音高、音色を出す。雨音や鳥の声など自然界の音を模倣する場合が多い。

［山田陽一］

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