koto

American  

[koh-toh, kaw-taw] / ˈkoʊ toʊ, ˈkɔˈtɔ /

noun

• kotos,
  plural
• koto
  plural

1. a Japanese musical instrument having numerous strings, usually seven or thirteen, that are stretched over a convex wooden sounding board and are plucked with three plectra, worn on the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of one hand.

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koto British  

/ ˈkəʊtəʊ /

noun

1. a Japanese stringed instrument, consisting of a rectangular wooden body over which are stretched silk strings, which are plucked with plectrums or a nail-like device

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• koto
  plural
• kotos
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of koto

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1785–95

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

koto kotos

Dan Kuramoto recalled a student from Tokyo University approaching the band after a concert and marveling at its use of the koto.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2022

When she was 20, she took koto lessons from the blind Japanese master musician Kimio Eto in Little Tokyo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2020

“We have Japanese koto, with Indian tabla, with flamenco guitar, with African percussion,” he told The Post.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 1, 2020

The septet includes Craig Taborn on piano, Miya Masaoka on koto, Sam Pluta on electronics, Peter Evans on trumpet and piccolo trumpet, Ms. Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey on drums, and Dan Peck on tuba.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2016

A long flat koto, with thirteen strings, encrusted with gold and ebony, stood close by; and on the yellow matting, half raised expectantly, reclined the young mistress of the hermitage.

From The Curse of Koshiu A Chronicle of Old Japan by Lewis Wingfield

Therefore kotos does not bide its time for taking vengeance, but in course of time spends itself.

From Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) From the Complete American Edition by Saint Thomas Aquinas

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