Koto (箏)

Unknown

19th century · Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer · Musical Instruments

Koto music was introduced into Japan during the Nara period (710-84). It developed in the court and gradually entered the home as a sign of good breeding for daughters of the rising commercial class as well as those of the nobility. Nylon stringing and plastic bridges and plectrums are now replacing the traditional materials, silk for strings, ivory for its movable bridges (ji) and plectrums (tsume). Paulonia remains the wood used for the body of the zither.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer

Culture

Japanese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889