Item Description This is a vintage Taishogoto (大正琴), also known as a Nagoya harp, a unique Japanese stringed musical instrument that emerged during the Taisho period (1912-1926). The taishogoto represents an innovative fusion of traditional Japanese musical sensibility with Western mechanical ingenuity, featuring typewriter-style keys that depress strings to change their pitch. This particular instrument comes complete with its original hardshell case and is accompanied by a collection of favorite pieces by Koga Masao (古賀政男 Koga Masao), one of Japan's most celebrated composers of the Showa era. The taishogoto was invented in 1912 by musician Goro Morita in Nagoya, who ingeniously combined the mechanics of a typewriter with a musical instrument. The instrument consists of a long, hollow wooden box with strings running its length, played lengthwise while being strummed. Above the strings spans a row of numbered keys that, when pressed, fret or shorten the strings to produce different pitches, making it remarkably accessible to players who cannot read traditional musical notation. This instrument is particularly significant as it includes musical material associated with Koga Masao (1904-1978), dubbed "Japan's Irving Berlin" by Universal Press Syndicate. Koga was a legendary composer, mandolinist, and guitarist who created the distinctive "Koga melody" style and is credited as a founding figure of the enka genre. His melancholic compositions, based on the yonanuki scale, defined Japanese popular music throughout the Showa period. Koga composed over 5,000 songs and wrote numerous classics for famous singers including Ichiro Fujiyama and Hibari Misora. He was honored with the Order of the Sacred Treasure and posthumously received Japan's People's Honor Award in 1978, the first composer to receive this prestigious recognition. The taishogoto became deeply embedded in Japanese popular culture and was particularly favored for playing folk songs and popular melodies. Its simple operation—pressing numbered buttons with the left hand while strumming with the right—made it accessible to amateur musicians, contributing to its widespread popularity, especially among middle-aged and elderly enthusiasts. The instrument has even gained international recognition, being featured by Western artists including Krautrock bands Neu! and Harmonia, and more recently by Arctic Monkeys. This instrument shows beautiful preservation with its original wooden finish and comes housed in a protective hardshell case that ensures safe storage. The inclusion of Koga Masao's favorite pieces collection makes this not just a musical instrument but a piece of Japanese cultural history, connecting the player to the golden age of Japanese popular music. Size Height: 7.5 cm Width: 66.5 cm Depth: 13.5 cm Weight 1288 g Condition The instrument is in very good vintage condition with well-preserved wooden body and functional keys. Minor signs of age-appropriate wear are present but do not affect playability. Artist Profile 古賀政男 Koga Masao (1904-1978) was a legendary Japanese composer, mandolinist, and guitarist who fundamentally shaped Japanese popular music during the Showa era. Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1904, Koga overcame early hardship after his father's death to become one of Japan's most prolific and influential composers. He studied at Meiji University where he helped found the Mandolin Club, beginning a musical career that would span five decades and produce over 5,000 compositions. Koga is widely recognized as the founding figure of modern enka, Japan's soulful ballad genre. His distinctive compositional style, known as "Koga melody," drew upon the yonanuki scale pioneered by Nakayama Shimpei and incorporated influences from Korean folk music he encountered during his childhood years in Korea. His melancholic yet deeply moving melodies resonated with the Japanese people and defined an entire era of popular music. As an exclusive composer for Columbia Records starting in 1931, Koga collaborated with the era's greatest singers, including Ichiro Fujiyama and the legendary Hibari Misora. His songs have achieved lasting cultural significance, with works featured in international films such as "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Come See the Paradise." His influence extended beyond composition—he served as the first president of the Japan Composer's Association from 1958 until his death in 1978. In recognition of his immense contributions to Japanese culture, Koga received the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Fourth Class) and became the first composer to receive Japan's People's Honor Award, bestowed posthumously just ten days after his death in 1978. Today, the Koga Masao Museum of Music in Tokyo's Shibuya district preserves his legacy, housing exhibits and memorabilia that celebrate his extraordinary career and enduring influence on Japanese music. NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. 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