When you think of “koto” Japanese musical instruments, what kind of instruments come to mind?
Actually, there are several types of “koto” instruments.
The first is the wagon, an ancient Japanese koto.
The second is the Chinese 7-stringed zither, which was called “kin no koto”.
The third is the 13-stringed instrument commonly known in Japan today as the “Sou no koto”.
In this article, we will refer to “Sou no Koto” as “Koto” and explain it.
The koto was introduced from China during the Nara period (710-794) as a musical instrument for “gagaku” (court music that combines music and dance).
It is a musical instrument with a long wooden body and 13 strings. The pitch is adjusted by pressing the strings with the left hand, and the strings are plucked by placing a pick-like object called a “nail” on the fingers of the right hand.
This instrument can produce both a dignified, powerful tone and a delicate, soft tone.
In recent years, manga and anime based on the koto have become popular in Japan. The koto remains a popular Japanese musical instrument.
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