Konghou, also called Kanhou, is an ancient plucked stringed instrument in China. There are mainly three kinds of Konghou: one is played lying flat, one is played upright and another one is the phoenix-headed Konghou.

As early as the Spring and Autumn (770-476BC) and Warring States (475-221BC) period, there appeared the rudiment of Konghou played lying flat in the Chu Kingdom in southern China.

Konghou was originally used in Yayue(court music), and was used in Qingshangyue (a music genre) in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). It was used in Yanyue(music played in court banquets) in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), and gradually prevailed among the ordinary people and in places inhabited by ethnic minorities. 

Konghou played upright appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and got popular in the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. It was generally played in rites and ceremonies.

The phoenix-headed Konghou was introduced from India to the Central Plains of China in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), and was prevalent in the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Konghou, with its sweet tamber and wide diapason, can be used to play not only cantus but also chord and has many advantages in both solo and tutti performances. It was an indispensable instrument in China’s ancient royal courts. From basso-relievo in the Yungang Grottoes of Datong and Dunhuang murals we can see people playing Kouhou. This shows that Kouhou playing was very popular in China a long time ago.