Can a Koto be played within a symphony or amongst many others? Or is this an instrument that is typically played solo?

The koto can be played with other instruments, including other zither-type instruments, the shakuhachi (an end-blown flute) and others, as well. Check out these websites for some information with more detail about the history of the instruments, including that _koto_ was a name for several kinds of instruments that are not zither-type instruments, such as the biwa: http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/japan.htm The cellist Yo-Yo Ma has a group called the Silk Road Ensemble that includes a musician playing the shakuhachi: http://archive.silkroadproject.org/MusicArtists/Instruments/tabid/164/Default.aspx

How much would a modern "Koto" cost?

According to google, over 1000 dollars. But, a guzheng, a Chinese counterpart, looks to be around 500 to 600

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Course: The Metropolitan Museum of Art > Unit 1

Lesson 2: Books, music, and literature

Goto Teijo, Koto

Google Classroom

Met curator J. Kenneth Moore on gratitude in Goto Teijo’s Koto, c. 1440–1512.

This rare acquisition is a tour de force of Japanese decorative and musical arts that is currently unparalleled in this country. Although a strong tradition existed before then, the foundation for modern Japanese koto music were formed during the seventeenth century. This koto, with it copious inlay and remarkable metalwork by Teijo, ninth master and perhaps most skilled member of the famous Goto family of metalwork artists, documents this important musical development. It also reflects the status of its owner and the koto's role as a symbol of Japan. All but the instrument's playing areas are exceptionally decorated. Gold crane medallions set against a finely carved diaper pattern adorn the sides, which are framed in a virtuosic rendering of inlaid woods, horn, ivory, and wire that extends onto both the upper and lower surfaces. The ends, of tagayasan and shitan wood, are embellished with geometric inlay patterns and metalwork lions and flowers in ivory frames. The elaborate black lacquered outer case, dating from the early nineteenth century, is decorated with gold makai-e cranes (symbol of the Karasumaru family) and geese, and its interior is lined with gold foil patterned with flying geese. The cloth wrap is composed of two silk embroidered fabrics of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century origin.

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Jeff Kelman
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Jeff Kelman's post “Can a Koto be played with...”
Can a Koto be played within a symphony or amongst many others? Or is this an instrument that is typically played solo?
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(7 votes)
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- L
  Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to L's post “The koto can be played wi...”
  The koto can be played with other instruments, including other zither-type instruments, the shakuhachi (an end-blown flute) and others, as well. Check out these websites for some information with more detail about the history of the instruments, including that koto was a name for several kinds of instruments that are not zither-type instruments, such as the biwa:
  http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/japan.htm
  The cellist Yo-Yo Ma has a group called the Silk Road Ensemble that includes a musician playing the shakuhachi:
  http://archive.silkroadproject.org/MusicArtists/Instruments/tabid/164/Default.aspx
  Comment on L's post “The koto can be played wi...”
  (6 votes)
maceden
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to maceden's post “Is the music during the c...”
Is the music during the credits played by a koto?
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(3 votes)
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Jeff Kelman
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Jeff Kelman's post “How much would a modern "...”
How much would a modern "Koto" cost?
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(3 votes)
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- WordWeight
  Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to WordWeight's post “According to google, over...”
  According to google, over 1000 dollars. But, a guzheng, a Chinese counterpart, looks to be around 500 to 600
  Comment on WordWeight's post “According to google, over...”
  (4 votes)
Ellie Miskimen
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to Ellie Miskimen's post “Any idea how long this ko...”
Any idea how long this koto would have taken to be made? And then in comparison to a more standard and simple koto?
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luckylushfromtheashes
Posted 9 years ago. Direct link to luckylushfromtheashes's post “Could we please hear this...”
Could we please hear this instrument played by an appropriate musician?
Thank you!
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- Max_Smax
  Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to Max_Smax's post “The music in the credits ...”
  The music in the credits was played by a musician.
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  (1 vote)
David Dzotse
Posted 8 years ago. Direct link to David Dzotse's post “who is best koto player o...”
who is best koto player of all time?
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Video transcript

This object has art, it has music, it’s got myth, but behind all that there’s a very human story. It begins with a warrior, whose name is Mitsuhiro Karasumaru, saving his father-in-law in a castle that’s under attack. And his brother-in-law asks him, “What would you like as a gift for saving my father’s life?” And he said, “A koto.” Now, kotos at this time were plain. Mitsuhiro probably did not think he was going to get such a beautiful case, covered with his family emblem, the crane. Pulling out the koto, he must have been totally surprised to see that this instrument had about sixty cranes in gold and silver and wild geese flying all over it. The instrument itself represents a crouching dragon, and you see these two gold, confronting dragons. It has wonderful metalwork, it has tortoise shell with gold foil underneath it. The soundboard is cut in a way that makes it look like water. You tune the instrument by sliding one bridge under each string, and on those were more cranes and silver lining. The whole thing was just so over the top it must have taken his breath away. Koto music is very harp-like in its sound. It’s serene, it’s contemplative. Why would a man of such power and prestige want to have what he thought would be a simple koto? What did he need to express in music? It was such a honor to receive one of the most decorated of kotos that one will ever see. Would he just look at it and say, “This is too beautiful to play”? I can’t help but think if I were the recipient, I would probably grab those bridges and start playing immediately.