What is the name of the Japanese instrument that is similar to the Indian Sitar?

It is played upright with a bow, as of a cello, or violin. It has only two or three strings? Not sure...

What is the name of the Japanese instrument that is similar to the Indian Sitar?
Zither? I've seen different forms, shapes and sizes like guitars.


Here you can search world instruments (both common and rare). This page is the stringed instruments:


http://larkinthemorning.com/category.asp...
Reply:it's a kokyuu
Reply:If it's played with a bow, it's probably a kokyu. It has three strings and is played with a bow.
Reply:err i don't know about these having a bow being played with them, but they are the biwa and shamisen.
Reply:You may be thinking about a Chinese instrument called the erhu. It has two strings (usually tuned to A and D, an octave above the violin) and the bow is threaded in between the two strings. It is somewhat similar in shape to a sitar, but unlike the sitar which is always plucked, the erhu is always bowed.