The koto is the final topic of my three part series on traditional Japanese instruments. The first article was about taiko, followed by shamisen.
Similar to a long zither, the koto is a rectangular, stringed instrument made of wood. It has thirteen strings propped up by "bridges" running across the length on top. Sounds are produced by plucking the strings, and notes are played by pressing the strings with the left hand and plucking with the right.
The koto is a relatively large instrument and is typically placed on a stand when played. However, some koto performances have the instruments on the ground and the performers sitting in the seiza position. Unlike taiko and shamisen, which are common festival music instruments, the koto tends to be played in a concert performance setting.
Koto lesson set up. One koto is approximately 180 centimeters long.
Fake nails to help with the plucking
Bridges that prop the strings on the koto
The author managed to play a short piece after practicing for almost an hour
