Origins and History
This Japanese zither is descended from the Chinese guzheng.
What is the koto?
The koto traditionally has this many strings.
What is 13?
The koto is played with picks worn on which hand
What is the right hand?
The koto was used not only in music but also as imagery in this type of storytelling.
What is narrative/poetic storytelling?
Some modern kotos have more than 13 strings—sometimes up to this number.
What is 20 or more?
The shamisen evolved from an Okinawan instrument called the ___.
What is the sanshin?
What is the koto?
The shamisen is played with this large plectrum.
What is a bachi?
The shamisen is central in this theatrical tradition featuring elaborate costumes.
What is kabuki?
Keiko Nosaka invented extended kotos because she felt confined by this.
What is the 13-string limit?
This bamboo flute was first brought from China via Korea in the 8th century.
What is the shakuhachi?
The bridges on the koto, once ivory, are now often made of this material.
What is plastic?
The shakuhachi player changes pitch not only with holes but also with this technique.
What is altering breath/embouchure (angle of airstream)?
Zen monks believed enlightenment could come through a single shakuhachi ___.
What is note?
The shamisen’s sound box is called this.
What is the dō?
In the Edo period, this group of Zen monks used the shakuhachi for meditation and begging.
Who are the komusō monks?
The shamisen’s body is covered in skin, traditionally from this animal.
What is cat or dog?
This term means “blowing-zen” and describes shakuhachi meditation.
What is suizen?
The koto is often performed with shamisen and shakuhachi in this ensemble.
What is sankyoku?
The shakuhachi can produce breathy, “noisy” tones meant to imitate this.
What are sounds of nature (wind, water, rain, etc.)?
The koto was historically featured in this type of Japanese court music.
What is gagaku?
The shakuhachi’s name means “one shaku and eight sun,” referring to this.
What is its length (about 54.5 cm)?
To adjust tuning, koto players move these parts.
What are the bridges (ji)?
The shamisen was originally introduced to Japan through this southern island group.
What are the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa)?
The koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi together represent this type of cultural ideal in Japanese music.
What is balance of tradition, subtlety, and expressiveness?