One of the oldest Japanese instruments, dervided from zithers brought to Japan from China in the 7th or 8th century.

The koto is roughly 2 metres long and usually has 13 strings arched over independently movable bridges which sit on a hollow body of paulownia wood with 2 sound holes underneath. These days, synthetic fibre such as tetron is used for strings, as silk strings are expensive, and cannot be stretched as tightly.

The strings are struck with ivory or plastic picks attached to the thumb, index finger and middle finger of the right hand with leather bands.

Traditionally, Japanese music is pentatonic (five notes excluding the octave), and the most popular traditional Japanese koto tuning is called "hirajoshi," literally "tranquil tuning," D Eb G A Bb D.