noun
string instrument; stringed instrument
Especially used in the context of gagaku (雅楽), Japanese court music. Refers to instruments played by plucking or bowing strings.
See also: 雅楽
雅楽では、弾き物として琵琶や箏が用いられる。
In gagaku, biwa and koto are used as string instruments.
この曲は弾き物のための作品です。
This piece is a work for stringed instruments.
Refers to wind instruments, while 弾き物 refers specifically to string instruments.
Refers to percussion instruments, contrasting with the string-focused 弾き物.
Compound of 弾き (hiki, 'playing a string instrument', from 弾く) + 物 (mono, 'thing'). Literally 'thing for playing strings'.