Koto travel guide — Koto tourism and travel information

Koto travel guide

about Koto

The Koto (琴) is a traditional stringed musical instrument from Japan resembling a zither.

Koto are about 180cm long and have 13 strings that are strung tautly across 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. Players make base pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and three finger picks (on thumb, forefinger, and middle finger) are used to pluck the strings.

The koto was introduced to Japan in the 7th to 8th century from China (the Chinese inspiration was probably the gŭzhēng). It was initially played in the royal court only, but this situation changed in the 17th century -- primarily because of the influence of one man: Yatsuhashi Kengyo (1614-1684).

Yatsuhashi Kengyo was a blind shamisen player who learnt koto from an "official" court player named Hosui, in defiance of the rules which then stated that koto could not be taught to blind people (or women, incidentally). Possibly because of his personal experience with these restrictions, Yatsuhashi spent the rest of his life making the koto more accessible.

He invented a new "plain tuning" (hira joushi in Japanese) to play the common peoples' songs more naturally. He composed (or is credited with composing) songs that are still irreplaceable staples of the koto repertoire today, including Rokudan and Midare. (These compositions were partly responsible for the koto becoming respected as a solo instrument in its own right.) Perhaps most importantly, his example led other non-elite, including women, to learn the koto too.

Since the Japanese music scene was made over in Western pop music's image, the koto has become less prominent (although many well-to-do young women learn the instrument to help develop an aura of "refinement" that will theoretically attract a better class of husband). However, it is still developing as an instrument; works are written for and performed on 20-stringed and bass kotos, and a new generation of young players like Yagi Michiyo are finding places for the koto in today's jazz, pop and even experimental music.

Kōtō is a special ward located in Tokyo, Japan.

Near cities to Koto

• Hino travel guide 15 km
• Nakano travel guide 31 km
• Setagaya travel guide 34 km
• Kyoto travel guide 46 km
• Chita travel guide 58 km
• Tokai travel guide 61 km
• Nara travel guide 62 km
• Nagoya travel guide 62 km
• Komaki travel guide 64 km
• Komaki travel guide 64 km

Near webcams to Koto

• Okayama - SETO Bridge webcam 220 km
• Kofu webcam 220 km
• Fuji webcam 230 km
• Mt. Fuji webcam 230 km
• Yokohama webcam 310 km
• Yokohama webcam 310 km
• Tokyo webcam 320 km
• Tokyotower webcam 320 km
• Tokyo Tower webcam 330 km
• Kwangju webcam 850 km

back to top

Koto travel services

cheap flights to Koto

• book cheap flights to Koto »
• book cheap flights to Japan »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Koto, cheap flights Koto, also available cheap airline tickets to Japan and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Koto deals also available.

cheap Koto hotels

• book cheap hotels to Koto »
• book cheap hotels to Japan »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Koto, Japan hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Koto hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Koto vacations

• book Koto vacations »
• book Japan vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Koto, Japan vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Koto vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Koto

• book cheap car rental in Koto »
• book cheap car rentals in Japan »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Koto, car hire in Japan and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Koto car hire deals also available.

Koto travel insurance

• Koto cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for Japan »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Koto, accident health Koto travel insurance, all using our online Koto travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Japan. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Koto real estate

• Koto real estate guide »
• real estate listings in Japan »

City Travel Guide comes with Koto real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Koto property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Japan, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Koto.

back to top

Koto travel books

Koto travel guide books

• Koto travel guide books »
• Japan travel guide books »

Koto maps and atlases

• Koto maps and atlases »
• Japan maps and atlases »

back to top