Koto (instrument)

Koto

String instrument
Other names	13-stringed koto
Classification	Stringed instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	312.22–6 (Heterochord half-tube zither sounded with three plectrums)
Inventor(s)	Kenjun
Developed	16th century
Related instruments
17-string koto Zheng Yatga Gayageum Đàn tranh

The koto (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 tranh, the Sundanese kacapi and the Kazakh jetigen.^[1] Koto are roughly 180 centimetres (71 in) in length, and made from Paulownia wood (Paulownia tomentosa, known as kiri). The most common type uses 13 strings strung over movable bridges used for tuning, different pieces possibly requiring different tuning. Seventeen-string koto are also common, and act as bass in ensembles. Koto strings are generally plucked using three fingerpicks (tsume), worn on the first three fingers of the right hand.

Koto performance

13-stringed koto performance of the song "Sakura Sakura"

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