GUIDELINE
As a recipient of the instrument owned by the Nippon Music Foundation, you arerequired to abide by the following guidelines carefully. You should not be warned for
dirty instruments when the condition reports are submitted to the Foundation.

・No Polishing or Cleaning Solutions: Do not ever use any commercial polish orcleaning solutions of any kind. The designated luthiers are also not allowed to polishthe instrument with French polish or any other material as it could destroy theoriginal varnish.
・ Cleaning: After each use, use only a clean piece of soft cotton to wipe down theviolin. You shall not put any bottled cleaner or polish on the instrument. If you arehandling the instrument properly there should never be anything on the violin thatwill not wipe off easily with the soft cotton.
Rosin accumulation on the strings can be removed using a small piece of silk cloth.
NO HEAVIER GAUZE SHOULD BE USED. When doing this, the violin top must
be pointed toward the floor to avoid particles of rosin falling into or on theinstrument, as these will act as an abrasive when you clean it off. Gently run the silk
cloth along the strings between the top of the bridge and the end of the fingerboard.
This will give you a cleaner sound and make it much easier to play harmonics.
・ No Hard Surface: Never lay your violin down without having a cloth underneaththe violin.
・Do Not Touch Body: The violin should always be handled by the neck andend-button. Do not grab the body of the instrument as oil from your hands can bedamaging to the varnish.
・ Humidity Maintenance: When traveling by air or staying in dry hotel rooms, adampit should be kept inside the instrument or a humidifier in the main compartmentof the case in order to prevent cracks and open seams. Do not use any humidifying
equipment prone to leakage. Before putting a dampit into the instrument, squeeze out
any excess water to prevent damage to the instrument.
・ Accessories: When playing, do not wear necklaces, watches, rings, earrings or any
solid objects that may come in contact with the instrument. Be aware of buttons,
jewelry or metal objects on your clothing.
・ Cosmetic Particles: Be aware of cosmetic products with particles (loose powder,eyeshadow, glitter etc.) that may come off and fall on the instrument, as these will
deteriorate the varnish.
・ Perfume: Do not use perfume when playing. Alcohol in perfume can cause varnish
Ver. September 2024

deterioration.
・ Chinrest: The chinrest must be placed over the middle block with two legs. Do not
put your own chinrest without prior approval from the Foundation. Take special carewhen putting on or removing the chinrest.
・ Use of Handkerchief on the Chinrest: Sweat causes varnish deterioration. Use
handkerchief on the chinrest to protect the shoulder areas from sweat.
・ Shoulder rest: Before the use, always examine the feet of your shoulder rest to
make sure that the rubber has not worn through or shifted. The rubber must bechanged on average every year or two in order to avoid the rubber hardening andpotentially damaging the instrument. Always take special care when putting on or
removing the shoulder rest since this is one of the most common causes of damage.
・ Bridge: Before the use, the angle of the bridge should be looked at daily to ensurethat it is not tilting forward or back too much.
・ Grooves: It is important to lubricate the groove in the top of the bridge and in thetop nut. The nut is best done with a little piece of old-fashioned dry kitchen soap (orgraphite from a pencil could also work as a second choice).
・ Peg Paste: Apply special lubricant composition (peg paste) to the pegs as necessary
to smoothen the pegs.
・ Strings: When changing strings, you must follow the method as shown in thedrawing.
・ Noise/Wolf: Buzzing or rattling noises occur when the instrument has been in a dry
place and the glue has come undone. In such cases, take the instrument to a violin
shop designated by the Foundation as soon as possible for repair. In most cases, when
you think the instrument is out of adjustment, it is humidity-related issues andnothing to do with the position of the bridge or the soundpost.

Ver. September 2024

Pull strings through as shown in the drawing to allow only about one full turn round peg.
When string is pulled up to pitch, cut off excess strings (there is no need to leave themlong!).
Please also apply the special composition (lubricant) onto pegs from time to time toallow pegs to turn smoothly.

Ver. September 2024