Japan: The Koto
Japan has a rich musical tradition that goes back thousands of years. One of its most beautiful instruments is the koto (say: KOH-toh).
The koto is a long, flat wooden instrument with 13 strings stretched across it. It is about 6 feet long — almost as tall as an adult! Players sit on the floor and pluck the strings with special picks called tsume that they wear on their fingers.
The koto makes a beautiful, flowing sound that is often described as shimmering or sparkling. It sounds like gentle rain falling on a pond or wind blowing through bamboo.
Koto music often mimics the sounds of nature: flowing water, singing birds, falling cherry blossoms, and gentle breezes. Japanese music values simplicity and beauty — sometimes a few perfectly chosen notes are more powerful than hundreds of notes played quickly.
The koto has been played in Japan for over 1,000 years and is still popular today. Many Japanese children learn to play the koto, just like kids in other countries learn piano or guitar.