Other Parts of Koto
Strings
There are two types of strings that were used for Koto. Strings are made of silk and polyester, and silk string is softer and eristic compared to polyester strings. In general, polyester strings are strong, but it can cause to damage on hand/fingers.
There are two types of strings that were used for Koto. Strings are made of silk and polyester, and silk string is softer and eristic compared to polyester strings. In general, polyester strings are strong, but it can cause to damage on hand/fingers.
String Names and Symbols
There are thirteen strings, each string has its own name, and the strings are counted from the top to bottom, viewed by the performer.
There are thirteen strings, each string has its own name, and the strings are counted from the top to bottom, viewed by the performer.
Movable Bridges
Bridges are placed between the strings and the body of Koto to produce 13 pitches. Generally, the bigger bridges have more weight, which makes deeper sounds and the sound differ by what types of materials they made of. Performer need to choose the bridges according to the sounds they want to produce. The average size of a bridge is about 5.7 cm (height) and 5.2 cm (width). There are three major types of bridges, including 1) the standard type ( hyojunteki), 2) a bridge for 13 string and higher pitch ( kinji), and 3) the smaller bridge( kaji/shoji) that is for the second string to lower pitch.
Bridges are placed between the strings and the body of Koto to produce 13 pitches. Generally, the bigger bridges have more weight, which makes deeper sounds and the sound differ by what types of materials they made of. Performer need to choose the bridges according to the sounds they want to produce. The average size of a bridge is about 5.7 cm (height) and 5.2 cm (width). There are three major types of bridges, including 1) the standard type ( hyojunteki), 2) a bridge for 13 string and higher pitch ( kinji), and 3) the smaller bridge( kaji/shoji) that is for the second string to lower pitch.
Plectra types and postures
Plectra were often made of plastic, wale bone, ivory, or cattle bone. Players ware three plectra on their right fingers, thumb, index, and middle, and left hand is occasionally used to push down the strings to produce different pitches. Depending on the style, Yamada or Ikuta, a player sits right side of the Koto, facing straight to the Koto (Yamada ryu), or tilt the body 45 degree toward the left (Ikuta-ryu). Ikuta-ryu uses the corner of plectra to produce the sounds, and that is a reason sitting slightly tilt would be more comfortable for the performer.
Plectra were often made of plastic, wale bone, ivory, or cattle bone. Players ware three plectra on their right fingers, thumb, index, and middle, and left hand is occasionally used to push down the strings to produce different pitches. Depending on the style, Yamada or Ikuta, a player sits right side of the Koto, facing straight to the Koto (Yamada ryu), or tilt the body 45 degree toward the left (Ikuta-ryu). Ikuta-ryu uses the corner of plectra to produce the sounds, and that is a reason sitting slightly tilt would be more comfortable for the performer.