The Koto
The koto is the national instrument of Japan — a long wooden zither with thirteen silk or nylon strings, plucked with picks worn on the fingers. Its bright, cascading, water-like tone is one of the most recognisable sounds in Japanese music.
The koto is the national instrument of Japan — a long wooden zither with thirteen silk or nylon strings, plucked with picks worn on the fingers. Its bright, cascading, water-like tone is one of the most recognisable sounds in Japanese music.
The koto (箏 or 琴) is a Japanese plucked zither about 180 cm long, traditionally made from paulownia wood. Its thirteen strings each rest on a movable bridge, and the player tunes the instrument by sliding these bridges before playing.
It arrived from China during the Nara period (710–794), derived from the Chinese guzheng, and became central to court music before Yatsuhashi Kengyō (1614–1685) carried it beyond the court in the Edo period and shaped the repertoire still played today. The player plucks the strings with three picks (tsume) worn on the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.
Its voice
Bright, rippling, and resonant, the koto sounds a little like falling water — clear notes that bloom and decay. Players bend and ornament pitches by pressing the strings on the far side of the bridges, giving the instrument its characteristic sliding, singing quality.
How the koto is strung
Thirteen strings, and a movable bridge under each — the tuning lives in the bridges.
Good to know
What is a koto?
The koto is a traditional Japanese zither with thirteen strings stretched over movable bridges on a long wooden body. It is plucked with picks and is considered the national instrument of Japan.
How many strings does a koto have?
A traditional koto has thirteen strings, each supported by its own movable bridge used to tune the instrument. Modern variants sometimes add more strings for a wider range.
What does a koto sound like?
Bright, clear, and cascading — often compared to falling water. Notes ring and decay, and players bend pitches by pressing the strings, giving a sliding, vocal quality.
Is the koto used in relaxing music?
Yes. Its gentle, resonant tone makes it a mainstay of calm and meditative Japanese music, including the Cherry Blossom room in this garden.
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