Koto (zither).

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Alternative Title

Koto.

Instrument

Koto

Instrument Family

Strings

Place Made

Japan ; Asia

Date Made

1963

Description

Technical description: Long, slender composite glued hardwood body with wooden upper surface carved into a curve and two detachable wooden legs at one end. Body length 1851 mm, width 255 mm; 2 detachable wooden legs at one end; string bearers near each end of darker wood and ivory(?).This instrument consists of 14 (more commonly 13) plastic bridges (ji) upon which silk strings of equal length and thickness would be stretched, although now stronger materials like nylon or tetron are used for the strings. Each string has one bridge and the length of the vibrating part of the strings, and therefore the tuning of the strings, is determined by the placement of the bridges. The decorative features of the instrument include an applied cloth and veneer at one end and a cloth-covered cardboard cover at the other end that slides on when the wooden legs are removed. Also includes a broken spare green bridge, a box of spare strings, and a red box containing two ivory (?) and one tortoiseshell plectra (tsume). Performance technique: Strings tuned to pentatonic scale, depending on the mode of a piece, which is further dictated by the musical genre or composition. Traditional tunings consist of five pitches to an octave. The player sits behind the koto (cross-legged, one knee raised, or kneeling, depending on the playing tradition and performer’s gender) with the instrument’s right end slightly to the right. The plectra, or tsume, are worn on thumb, index, and middle finger of the right hand. The thumb is the main playing digit, plucking the string away from the player, while the other two fingers pluck toward the player. The left hand is used to change pitches unavailable on open strings by pressing down on the left of the bridge, or to provide ornamental pitch inflections. Historical sources and dispersal: Originating in China and introduced to Japan during the late 8th century, the koto is a long zither (family of simple chordophones consisting of string-bearer with strings or string-bearer with detachable resonator). Its current form is related to the Chinese zheng, the Korean Kayagŭm and the Vietnamese Đàn tranh. Its modern repertory dates from the end of the 16th century, including kumiuta (song cycles), shirabemono (instrumental pieces), and tegotomono, a form of two or more songs sections connected by extended instrumental interludes. The koto is played in the jiuta ensemble and in the togaku (orchestra) of imperial court music and dancing (gagaku, literally: “elegant music”). More recently considered an important household instrument, symbolizing a refined upbringing, although it is now being replaced by the piano.

Notes

P.R. Cooke, 1995.

Measurements

1851.

Provenance

Gift of K. Moodie, 1988.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

2877

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