The koto (箏 or 琴) is a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument, and the national instrument of Japan. It is derived from the Chinese zheng and se, and similar to the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and ajaeng, the Vietnamese đàn …

Through the 21st century and beyond, the koto continues its traditional music heritage with singing, while also functioning as a versatile instrument capable of enhancing rock, jazz, and pops genres. The koto is made of Paulownia wood. There are 13 strings stretch over a wooden body of roughly six feet.

The koto (Japanese: 箏, Sino-Japanese reading "sō"; more commonly, though not quite correctly, the character 琴, Sino-Japanese reading "kin" is used) is a traditional stringed musical instrument resembling a zither.

Koto, long Japanese board zither having 13 silk strings and movable bridges. The body of the instrument is made of paulownia wood and is about 190 cm (74 inches) long. When the performer is kneeling or seated on the floor, the koto is held off the floor by two legs or a …

Koto music is known in general as sōkyoku. In the koto solo instrumental music (shirabemono), the most important type is the danmono, a variation piece in several sections (dan), each normally of 104-beat length. The term for koto chamber music, sankyoku, means music for three.

The koto is one of the most popular traditional instruments in Japan and one of the best known outside of that country. Although many people think of it as an ancient instrument whose music has not changed for generations, in fact it is a vibrant, living tradition.

Jun 2, 2021 · Koto is a traditional music instrument played by plucking its string, in the same way as the shamisen. It is a zither with a long body and is usually called the "Japanese harp" due to the melodious sounds it produces. It is a typical musical art of Japan.

Nov 5, 2024 · Known for its resemblance to a dragon, the Koto is a long, zither-like instrument with thirteen strings stretched over a hollow body. The sound produced by plucking these strings has made the Koto a key feature of Japanese music, from ancient court performances to modern-day compositions.

Jul 16, 2023 · The koto is a Japanese instrument, though it has roots in Chinese and Korean cultures. The koto we know and love today is derived from the Chinese zheng and the se.

May 4, 2017 · The koto, also known as "Japanese harp", is a Japanese stringed instrument with a rich and detailed history. Unlike western stringed instruments such as violins and guitars, the koto actually consists of 13 strings that are strung over 13 bridges.