Gilt-bronze miniature pentachord

A miniature version of the uniquely Japanese stringed instrument, the yamatogoto (native Japanese zither). Created as a miniature model of the instruments used to play music during religious rituals, and most likely given as an offering. Made of gilt bronze, it is missing notches for the strings, but because there are five small holes opened in the head and there are also five bridges, we can see that originally there were five strings strung here. The shape is trapezoidal, like the tail of a black kite. This is thought to be the antecedent of the Black Kite Tail Koto that is listed as a treasure of Ise Grand Shrine in the document “Engishiki.” It bears much relevance to the expression of and transmission of ritsuryō rituals.