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Satsumabiwa 5 - - Construction of the instrument |
I recently purchased an old Satsumabiwa at an antique store in Takasaki City, about fourteen kilomemtres from where I live. The front and back pieces were coming apart and I felt that with a little bit of encouragement, I might be able to separate them and get a view of the inside of the body of the instrument.
Gathering my wits about me, I thought what method of encouragement might be best applied. Usually, Satsumabiwa are stuck together using a substance called "Nikawa". It is made from gelatin and I believe it is also used in the construction of violins. More expensive instruments would have used "Urushi" or lacquer.
"Nikawa" softens when dampened. Therefore, plucking up courage, I soaked it in the bath for a good ten hours. Everything came apart very nicely and I have taken photographs of the various parts that make up the biwa for your perusal.
I cannot say that I recommend ever soaking instruments in a bath of water. This instrument was old and was not very useful in the state it was in. |
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The back |
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The back piece is much thicker than the front. It is carved or "dug out" in the middle and a centre 'T-shaped' piece is attached to the middle. |
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The front |
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The front piece is boiled in water before it is attached to the backpiece. This reduces the chance that it will crack in dry weather. It has three soundholes. At the bottom the Fukujuu is attached. |
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The fukuju |
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The tenjin |
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