Koto (1890s)

A woman in kimono and traditional Japanese hairstyle plays the koto, a kind of harp. Players use three finger picks (on thumb, forefinger, and middle finger) and adjust the string pitches by moving bridges. The 13 stringed koto is derived from the Chinese guzheng an was introduced to Japan in the 7th to 8th century. Initially only played at the royal court, it became a common instrument during the 17th century. Original text: "A koto player. The koto is the most important of Japanese instruments, and proficiency in playing upon it is highly esteemed. The tones evoked have but little resonance, and the compositions are so peculiar as to be unintelligible to foreigners." Albumen photograph sourced by Kozaburo Tamamura (1856-1923), 1890s, for "Japan, Described and Illustrated by the Japanese", Shogun Edition edited by Captain F Brinkley. Published in 1897 by J B Millet Company, Boston Massachusetts, USA.