The koto is one of the most popular musical instruments in Japan. The body of the koto is made of wood and can be as long as two meters. It has thirteen strings. A long time ago, the strings were made of silk but today they make the strings with man-made material.
The Chinese and Korean musicians brought the koto to Japan around the end of the seventh century. Japanese musicians played the koto together with other instruments before the emperor. By the fifteen century, the koto was played on its own without other instruments. It became popular with the rich people.
Musicians play the koto with the thumb and first two fingers on the right hand. They pull the strings to produce the sound. They use the left hand to change the tone of the music.
In the past, the music people played on the koto was mostly traditional but today they play modern songs too.
