Kayagum, National Musical Instrument

The wise and talented Korean people have created a lot of admirable cultural heritages in the musical field.

Among them is Kayagum, pride of our people.

Kayagum was created by talented musician Uruk in the early sixth century. The rectangular Kayagum is a stringed instrument having a sound-box and strings, played by strumming or plucking.

At first, the main body of Kayagum was made of paulownia tree. And the manufacturing of Kayagum was changed a little. In the period of Koryo Dynasty, the sound board of Kayagum was made of paulownia tree and the back board was made of chestnut tree.

In the days of Korean Feudal Dynasty, Kayagum had several sound holes symbolizing the sun, the moon and clouds, which were well arranged harmoniously on the back board.

In the era of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the work for developing national musical instruments to suit to the modern demands was conducted in earnest under the wise guidance of Chairman Kim Jong Il. At present Kayagum has 21 strings and its musical range was widened and people can do tuning with ease.

Kayagum manufacturing was registered as intangible cultural heritage of the nation No. 65.

Rodong Sinmun