Description
Up for sale is this vintage 1920s Kunishima bowl-back mandolin. It is a beautiful example of Japanese mandolins from this time period. It is somewhat of a combination Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. This is an early Kunishima model (model no. 4) and the original label inside appears to be hand-signed.
In 1924, the famous Italian mandolin player and maker named Raffaele Calace came to Japan and personally taught a few of the early Japanese mandolin makers. I am not sure if Kunishima was one of them, but he has made copies of Calace mandolins in the 1930s.
This mandolin does look reminiscent of Italian mandolins from the early 20th century with its beautiful inlaid, symmetrical design, beautiful wood selection and the high number of ribs along the bowl back. The wood on the back just below the top board and above the ribs is absolutely beautiful. It has almost an iridescent / reflective quality.
Kunishima’s other mandolins from the 1920s are typically not this ornate and decorated. They are much simpler in design.
The mandolin features:
- 24 fret neck.
- Abolone dot inlays
- Mother-of-pearl inlaid sound hole.
- Raised relief bottom bout.
- A 22-rib bowl back.
- Original Kunishima label inside.
Overall, the mandolin is in good condition with minor wear on the top and along it’s edges. There is some minor wear along the top edge. There is a very minor crack to the left of the fingerboard on the top board. The head / peg board has two holes as seen in the pictures, and it appears that someone may have put a string holder there and later took it off. The overall length of the mandolin is 24″
Free shipping in the lower 48 United States. Other shipping is available to Hawaii and Alaska. International shipping is available too. Please message me with any questions! The stand in pictures is not included.
