Koto (musical instrument)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the special ward located in Tokyo, Japan, see Koto, Tokyo.
The koto (箏) is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from Chinese zithers. Koto are about 180 cm long and have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and use three finger picks (on thumb, forefinger, and middle finger) to pluck the strings.
The character for koto is also read as sō in certain contexts. Though often called by a number of other names, these terms almost always refer to similar, but different instruments, such as the Chinese guzheng (箏) or qin (琴, called kin in Japanese).
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[edit] History of the Koto
The koto was introduced to Japan in the 7th to 8th century from China, and largely derived from the Chinese guzheng. It was initially played only in the royal court, but this situation changed in the 17th century -- primarily because of the influence of Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1614-1684). Though the koto, like many Japanese instruments derived from Chinese ones, has likely not changed much over the centuries, the guzheng has, and thus it is no longer valid to call them the same instrument.
Yatsuhashi Kengyo was a blind shamisen player who learned koto from an "official" court player named Hosui, in defiance of the rules which then stated that koto could not be taught to blind people (or women, incidentally). Possibly because of his personal experience with these restrictions, Yatsuhashi spent the rest of his life making the koto more accessible.
He invented a new "plain tuning" ([平調子hira choushi) to play the common peoples' songs more naturally. He composed (or is credited with composing) songs that are still irreplaceable staples of the koto repertoire today, including Rokudan and Midare. (These compositions were partly responsible for the koto becoming respected as a solo instrument in its own right.) Perhaps most importantly, his example led other non-elite, including women, to learn the koto too.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Reiko Obata - koto performer in California and information on the koto
- Detailed history of the instrument
- Articles on Koto Masters Sawai Tadao and Sawai Kazue
- Article on Koto Master Chikushi Katsuko
- Linda Kako Caplan - The World of Japanese Koto and Shamisen - Linda Kako Caplan - The World of Japanese Koto and Shamisen : textbooks, CD and online video resources for koto, plus useful links and general info on the instruments
- Koto World.com - Koto World : online CD store and koto information site
- Koto no Koto - Koto no koto: the website with ALL the info you need about US and Canadian teachers, recordings, and the instrument.
- [1] Enjoy Japanese Music.com - Website of the koto/shakuhachi duo EN.
- O-koto Culture of Japan Play the "Sakura" tune on a virtual koto.
- New koto – Doremi Pop Corn.
[edit] Bibliography
- The Koto: A Traditional Instrument in Contemporary Japan, by Henry Johnson (Hotei, 2004).
- The Kumiuta and Danmono Traditions of Japanese Koto Music, by Willem Adriaansz (University of California Press, 1973).
