|
The
Koto, A Japanese Musical Instrument
Michiko
Takaiwa,
a Japanese high school girl describes the koto and
explains how it is played.
|
Photo:
Thomas Peters
Japanese high school students play the
koto in their school club.
|
Description
of the instrument
The koto, also called a kin, is a
Japanese musical instrument. It is a 13-string
board zither with movable bridges. Although it was
derived from continental Asian models, it has
developed structural characteristics that make it
specifically Japanese.
|
Photo:
Thomas Peters
Michiko Takaiwa plays the koto.
|
|
How
is it played?
The koto, which is made of paulawnia
wood, is placed horizontally on the ground on a low
table.
Then,
it is played by plucking the strings with the thumb
and the first two fingers of the right hand, either
bare-handed or with an ivory piece called a
plectrum.
Traditionally,
since the 16th century, the musician
uses the left hand to alter the pitch or sound of
each string by pressing or manipulating the strings
on the other side of each bridge.
History
of the koto
The koto has been popular in ensemble,
chamber, and solo music repertoires since the
earliest periods of Japanese musical history to the
present day. It is related to the Korean kum
and the Chinese chin musical
instruments.
More
traditional Japanese arts:
How
the Koto Became
Popular
| Chado,
the Way of Tea
kebana,
Japanese Flower
Arranging
| Hyaku-Nin-Isshu,
a Card Game
Kyudo,
The Way of the Bow
| The
Challenge of Kendo
Return
to: Traditional
Japanese Arts
| Issue
5
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TOPICS
Online Magazine
- ©1997-2007- Sandy
and Thomas Peters
- topics.mag@gmail.com
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