Another version of the Japanese Koto was later introduced by Keiko Nosaka. He came up with an innovative form of Koto music known as Kumi ata. Yatsuhashi Kengyo has become a great influence in the innovation of Koto and was later known as the Father of Modern Koto. Typically, Koto is used and played while sitting down with the musical instrument placed either at the side or in front of the musician.Īs time goes by, and as music styles continue to evolve, Japanese Koto has undergone different modifications and development. These strings are plucked using either fingers or a pick. Meanwhile, the strings are usually plastic or silk having the same size and tension force.

However, plastic and various types of woods are now being used for the bridge. Traditionally, the bridges of a Koto are made up of ivory. Koto consists of 13 bridges and 13 strings. Paulownia wood is being used in constructing the Koto main piece. Koto has an elongated body measuring 71 inches long and 7.9 inches wide. This stringed instrument resembles numerous stringed instruments from other countries such as the Gayageum of Korea, Dan Tranh of Vietnam, and Mongolia’s Yatga. Koto is Japan’s national musical instrument. If you want to learn more about them, keep reading until the end. In this article, we have enumerated 7 well-known Japanese Stringed Instruments. Moreover, string instruments were used in their folk music pieces.Īs stringed instruments continue to flourish and develop the richness of Japanese music, it is interesting to learn some of them. Many know that these stringed instruments produce a unique and enchanting sound that best resembles Japanese culture. Japanese stringed instrument, in particular, contributes to reshaping and reestablishing Japanese traditional music. Japanese instrument has also played an important part in the success of Japanese culture. Additionally, traditional Japanese music has also become an effective way of entertainment and self-expression. Music also offers an amazing influence on many Japanese subcultures including their media, fashion, economy, and lifestyles. Characterized by having a diverse and flourishing music history, Japanese music has become one of the richest not only across Asia but across the globe. Squire, 1912.Music plays a key role in Japanese culture.

Source: The imperial history and encyclopedia of music by William Lines Hubbard. There are many varieties of kotos, the number of strings each possesses being the chief individual characteristic. The instrument is very difficult to master, and in order to become a finished performer, instructions must begin in early childhood. In producing music the strings are plucked with tsume which are worn upon the fingers of the right hand and which can be clearly seen in the illustration. A large number of strings of tightly twisted silk soaked in wax are stretched from end to end of the instrument and pass over little movable bridges. The koto has a narrow sound box sometimes eighty inches in length with a convex upper surface, and is furnished with four low feet which rest on the floor when the instrument is to be played. One of the most famous pieces for koto is called Rokudan no Shirabe. The koto was introduced from China to Japan during the Nara period (710-793) as an instrument of court music (Gagaku). The Koto is a Japanese stringed instrument derived from the Chinese Zheng and similar to the Mongolian Yatga, the Korean Gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh.

Japanese stringed instruments