The koto is a traditional Japanese musical instrument steeped in over two thousand years of history. It is large, wooden and has 13 strings. It measures 160 cm (63 inches) to 200 cm (79 inches) long and about 20 cm (12 inches) across, it has a curved face, and its pitch is adjusted with movable bridges placed under each string. It is played with picks worn on the fingers, similar to those used in playing the guitar. The left hand presses down on the strings to bend notes and to create other effects.

It is believed that the instrument originated in China between the fifth and third centuries, BC. The koto originally had only 5 strings, but increased to 12 strings and finally to 13. It was the 13-string koto that was carried to Japan between 710 and 794 AD, during the Nara period.

Interestingly, the names for the parts of the historic koto are likened to a dragon stretched out along the ground:

• Ryuko (dragon's back) - The main body of the instrument. The strings are plucked with the right hand, being sure to touch them on the right of the ji, the supports under the strings.


• Ryubi (dragon's tail) - After a koto is strung, the leftover string is wound into two coils and kept at one end of the instrument.


• Ji (bridges) - Supports that are slid up and down the koto to adjust the sound of each string. They help transmit the sound from the strings to the body of the instrument, making its sound fuller and richer.


• Tsume (claws) - The three "picks" that the musician wears on their middle finger, index finger, and thumb respectively.

With a Shockwave plugin you can play a virtual koto at:

http://jin.jcic.or.jp/kidsweb/virtual/koto/virtual-koto.html
(Yes, it says "kidsweb", but the site is very well done.)

As for actual recordings of Japanese koto music--which is characteristically elegant, intricate, and delicate--I personally recommend the Japanese Koto Consort album. Your local public library very likely has a copy of this superb disc, so check it out!