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Koto (箏)

19th century

Not on view

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.

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

Koto (箏), Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer, Japanese

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Title: Koto (箏)

Date: 19th century

Geography: Japan

Culture: Japanese

Medium: Wood, mother of pearl, metal, ivory, lacquer

Dimensions: 71 × 9 1/2 in. (180.3 × 24.1 cm)

Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-long zither

Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889

Object Number: 08.55.2

Chronology

Japan, 1800-1900 A.D.

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The Met

Musical Instruments at The Met

The Museum's collection of musical instruments includes approximately 5,000 examples from six continents and the Pacific Islands, dating from about 300 B.C. to the present.