koto

Thân thiện

A musician gently plucks the strings of a koto.

Definition

Noun: 1. A traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument. It is long, rectangular, and has a wooden sounding board. The instrument typically has 13 silk strings that are played by plucking them with picks worn on the fingers.

Usage

The word "koto" is used to refer specifically to this instrument. It is often mentioned in contexts related to Japanese culture, traditional music, and musical performance.

Examples

• She has been studying the koto for five years.
• The gentle sound of the koto filled the concert hall.
• A traditional Japanese ensemble often includes a koto, a shamisen, and a shakuhachi flute.

Advanced Usage

• "to play the koto": This is the standard phrase for performing music on this instrument.
  • Her dream is to learn how to play the koto professionally.

Variants and Related Words

• Kotoist (noun): A person who plays the koto.
  • The famous kotoist composed a modern piece for the instrument.

Synonyms

• Zither: A broader category of stringed instruments that the koto resembles. (Note: "zither" is a general term, while "koto" is specific to Japan.)
• String instrument: A very general term for any instrument whose sound is produced by vibrating strings.

Học thuật

Noun

1. Japanese stringed instrument that resembles a zither; has a rectangular wooden sounding board and usually 13 silk strings that are plucked with the fingers