Suwen Guqin by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Suwen Guqin by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Bwonz in Enstriman Mizik Competition Category.

BwonzEnstriman Mizik· 2026

Suwen Guqin

by Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communication Co.,Ltd.

Client: Shanghai Yitong Cultural Communucation Co.,Ltd.

A' Design Award Bwonz Winner in Enstriman Mizik Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180049

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Suwen Guqin

Suwen se yon guqin, yon enstriman tradisyonèl chinwa ak kòd, ki reentèprete pou jwe modèn. Fòm nan swiv qin dinasti Tang ki konsève nan Tanp Horyuji a. Planch son an fèt ak sèd oswa polovnya ki vyeyi, epi do a fèt ak katalpa. Kouch baz la melanje sann kòn sèf ak lak natirèl. Yon kavite enteryè ki fèt ak enjenyri akoustik bay kò konpak la menm ton ak volim yon enstriman gwosè konplè. Yon fini lak mat ak texture kreye yon sifas sèk ki pa glise. Yon pwen ankraj kòd ki elaji nan ke a fasilite mouvman dwèt pou debitan yo ak pou moun k ap jwe ki gen men ki pi piti.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Bwonz

Suwen Guqin se yon ganyan A' Design Award Bwonz, yon rekonesans ki gen anpil prestij yo bay design ekselan ki make pa kreyativite, enjenyozite ak finès. Ganyan Bwonz yo se objè ki abil anpil e ki kreyatif nan fason ki frape, ki otantifye gwo eksperyans, imajinasyon ak debouyaj designer yo. Yo atann Suwen Guqin pou se yon objè anpil moun estime, admire e renmen, ki pwofesyonèl e inovatè nan fason remakab. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Bwonz enkòpore pi bon pratik nan atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji, e li ekselan pou atansyon li bay detay. Suwen Guqin satisfè bezwen yon fason espledid, li touche dezi, li chame santiman e li atire kiryozite.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This product echoes the classical elegance of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple and is reimagined for modern playing. Innovatively, its compact body produces rich, expressive sound that meets professional standards, without sacrificing portability. Its matte grain lacquer finish remains dry and non slip. Details like the widened string anchor at the tail and the tuning pegs honor classical aesthetics yet serve modern practicality. Altogether, this instrument is timeless yet made for today.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1100mm*150mm*45mm
Tags: based on the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, matte grain lacquer finish, portable, acoustically optimized, performance grade sound quality, full sound presence in a compact body, widened string anchor at the tail, contemporary reinterpretation of traditional instruments
Production Technology: The soundboard is crafted from aged cedar or paulownia over one hundred years old, with catalpa for the back. The base layer blends deer antler ash and raw lacquer using ancient methods, contributing to a resonant, open tone with rich harmonics ideal for performance. Furthermore, a proprietary matte grain lacquer finish creates a dry, non slip surface that enhances finger glide across the strings. The lacquer is also environmentally friendly and excels in water resistance and enduring beauty.
Design Challenge: The challenge is balancing how professionals and the public see the guqin. Experts value strict adherence to the historical form, while most users favor practical improvements. To bridge this gap, every modern refinement, such as the size and lacquer finish, stays within Tang dynasty aesthetics. The look remains true to tradition, and with use, the instrument delivers the rich tone and volume rivaling a performance grade full size qin, fulfilling both cultural respect and functional progress.
Research: The design solves key problems in traditional guqin use. Full size models are hard to carry and difficult for beginners, while smaller qins lack volume and tonal depth. Glossy lacquer finishes are often slippery, and standard shapes suit smaller hands poorly. The design echoes classical charm of the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, while using acoustical engineering to achieve the volume, sound projection, and nuanced tone of a performance grade qin, enhancing both practicality and comfort.
Inspiration: This instrument draws on three key inspirations. The name Suwen evokes the exchange between the player and the qin in the stillness of night, embodying inward reflection central to Eastern thought and forming the spiritual core of this instrument. Its shape follows the Tang dynasty qin at Horyuji Temple, preserving its serene dignity. Based on the insight that greater smoothness does not mean smoother play, the matte grain lacquer finish prevents slipping or sticking from hand perspiration.
Project Duration: The design and development of this qin lasted from September 2022 to August 2024 in Shanghai. It debuted in May 2025 at the Contemporary Masters Qin Making Exhibition of the 2025 Yueyang Guqin Art Festival.
Operation Flow: Thoughtful refinements fully enhance the playing experience. An acoustically engineered interior cavity delivers the tonal volume and richness of a performance grade full size qin within a compact body, not merely increased volume. A widened string anchor at the tail and optimized proportions make finger movement across the strings easier, especially for beginners and players with smaller hands. The matte grain lacquer finish provides a non slip surface, improving control during performance.
Team Members: Ding Liang