B. SHOO KONG HOU � A Vertical Kong Hou

The Shoo Kong Hou, a vertical instrument, was originally from Europe and West Asia. During the Xi Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 25 A.D.), it was brought along the Silk Road to Central China. The Shoo Kong Hou was called a Harp in Europe. It was shaped like a bow or triangle with 7, 15, 22, or 23 strings. The bottom of the sound box sat upon a short pole, and that pole was set on a square or round block. The musician plays the Kong Hou with two arms holding the instrument. The musician plucks the strings with thumbs and index fingers only.