koto

American  

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

noun

plural

kotos, koto

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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Etymology

Origin of koto

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1785–95

Example Sentences

He immediately began experimenting with using koto and other native instruments to downright creepy effect in the horror film “Kwaidan.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2020

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

Like the Coltranes, father and son, Tyner has worked hard to integrate African, Latin and Asian elements into his jazz, introducing such instruments as wood flute, koto and hand drums into his arrangements.

From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 2018

The show has an exquisite soundtrack of traditional Japanese court music, played on koto and bamboo flute.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 21, 2016

The Emperor threw himself into the enjoyment of the season, and commanded that Princess Hase should perform before him on the koto, and that her mother Princess Terute should accompany her on the flute.

From Japanese Fairy Tales by Ozaki, Yei Theodora