琴(こと)

こと
noun
koto, Japanese harp
culturemusic
1. koto
A traditional Japanese stringed instrument with 13 strings.
琴(こと)を弾(ひ)く。
To play the koto.
琴(こと)の音色(ねいろ)が美(うつく)しい。
The sound of the koto is beautiful.
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)から琴(こと)を習(なら)っている。
I have been learning the koto since childhood.
琴(こと)には十三(じゅうさん)本(ほん)の弦(げん)がある。
The koto has thirteen strings.
お正月(しょうがつ)には琴(こと)の音楽(おんがく)がよく流(なが)れている。
Koto music is often played during the New Year.

琴(こと) is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, often called a "Japanese harp" in English. It is one of Japan's most iconic musical instruments.

Characteristics

  • 13 strings stretched over movable bridges (柱(じ))
  • About 180 cm long, made of paulownia wood (桐(きり))
  • Played by plucking with picks (爪(つめ)) on thumb, index, and middle fingers

Common patterns

Cultural note

Strongly associated with お正月(しょうがつ) (New Year) — koto music is commonly heard in stores and on TV during the holiday season.

Related instruments

Related Words

Related: 三味線(しゃみせん) (shamisen (related traditional instrument))
Related: 尺八(しゃくはち) (shakuhachi (related traditional instrument))
Compare: 雅楽(ががく) (gagaku)
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
02000/02152_koto