Koto's note names
Music notes and notation
The musical scales were originally brought from China, and it is different from Western music scales that there are 12 sounds within an octave. The Koto music that were composed prior to Meiji period (1868-1912) are often written in the traditional Koto notation, which uses horizontal written system, and the music that was composed after the Meiji period is written in Western style, which uses vertical written system.
The musical scales were originally brought from China, and it is different from Western music scales that there are 12 sounds within an octave. The Koto music that were composed prior to Meiji period (1868-1912) are often written in the traditional Koto notation, which uses horizontal written system, and the music that was composed after the Meiji period is written in Western style, which uses vertical written system.
There are thirteen strings, each string has its own name, and the strings are counted from the top to bottom, viewed by the performer.
top
bottom
bottom
Until Western music was introduced in Meiji period in Japan, music sheets were rarely used to teach and practice Koto music. Only poetries that go with music were written, and past them to Koto music learners. One major reason is that because the majority of Koto learner were blind. In Edo period, the major player of Koto was blind people thus there were no need for the written documents for them to learn the Koto music. Instead, students learned by ear, listening the music. However, after the written music notes had produced, Koto learners (exception of blind learners) could learn music on their own.
The story, “Burmese Harp” by Michio Takeyama can be one example. A solder, Mizshima, learned to play a harp on his own without any written materials ( by only ears) in the War, and composed variety of music along with the songs. Eventually, Mizushima taught how to play the harp to a boy who lived in a local area, and the boy plays the harp just like the solder.
The story, “Burmese Harp” by Michio Takeyama can be one example. A solder, Mizshima, learned to play a harp on his own without any written materials ( by only ears) in the War, and composed variety of music along with the songs. Eventually, Mizushima taught how to play the harp to a boy who lived in a local area, and the boy plays the harp just like the solder.