qin and se (two Chinese zithers)
Refers to the two classical Chinese zithers, the qin (琴) and the se (瑟). Used in literary or historical contexts.
happy marriage; conjugal harmony
Metaphorical use derived from the harmonious sound of the two instruments played together. Literary and somewhat archaic.
The qin and se are ancient Chinese string instruments.
The phrase 'kin-shitsu ai-wasu' expresses the intimacy of a married couple.
marital harmony; intimate and harmonious couple
Compound of 琴 (kin, 'qin zither') and 瑟 (shitsu, 'se zither'). The metaphorical sense of 'happy marriage' comes from the classical Chinese idea of the two instruments playing in harmony.