Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Koto (Japanese Harp) string, c. mid-1950s |
Object Name |
Component, Musical Instrument |
Description |
Japanese Koto (Harp) Strings, c. mid 1950s. Set of yellow nylon strings for Koto. The strings are rolled and tied together by two cream-colored paper tags (2'' x 1'' x 1'') with red Japanese inscriptions circled by green leafs and a red Japanese fan marked with white Japanese symbols at the top. |
Date |
c. mid-1950s |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Medium |
Plastic/Paper |
Catalog Number |
2019.048.001.5D.1 |
Dimensions |
H-1 W-6.5 D-6.5 inches |
Collection |
3D - Musical Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
(Japanese inscriptions on both tags) |
Provenance |
Used by Laura Watanuki of San Mateo. |
Notes |
"The koto is a Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from the Chinese zheng, and similar to the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum, and the Vietnamese dàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about 180 centimetres (71 in) length, and made from kiri wood (Paulownia tomentosa). They have 13 strings that are usually strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. There is also a 17-string variant. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving the white bridges before playing. To play the instrument, the strings are plucked using three finger picks (thumb, index finger, and middle finger)." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_(instrument) 09/17/2019] |
Search Terms |
Japan Japanese History Music Music Equipment Music Industry Musical Instrument Musical Instruments Watanuki, Laura |
Subjects |
Music Musical instruments |
People |
Watanuki, Laura |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Laura Watanuki |