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
In gagaku, biwa and koto are used as string instruments.
This piece is a work for stringed instruments.
Standard kanji spelling for this term.
Alternate kanji spelling, less common.
Compound of 弾き (hiki, 'playing a string instrument', from 弾く) + 物 (mono, 'thing'). Literally 'thing for playing strings'.