A friend recently came across a slightly unusual guitar via an antique dealer. It is well made, with a nice bound fingerboard and what appears to be rosewood back and sides. What is so unusual about it is that it has no sound hole. Up on each 'shoulder' are iddentical scrimshaw sort of etchings in the top. They are both a kind of Asian style bird of paradise, kind of like something I saw on some of my grandmother's nice china plates at Christmas dinner. On the headstock is a logo which says "Shiraki". I've been fascinated by this instrument since I first saw it, and thought I'd try here to see if anyone could lead me to more information about the guitar, its maker, etc.

I'd appreciate it.