Composer Miya Masaoka has started playing the "Laser Koto," a futuristic version of the traditional Japanese stringed instrument, the Koto, that's been around since the 8th century. Masaoka outfitted ...

A koto is a traditional Japanese 13-stringed instrument similar to a zither, with movable bridges for tuning. Players wear three picks known as tsume on their thumb and first two fingers to pluck the ...

NAGAHAMA, Shiga -- Production of silk strings for traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen and koto is at its seasonal peak in this western Japan town. At the workshop of Marusan ...

The instrument manufacturing company Marusan Hashimoto in the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, is very busy making strings for the shamisen, the koto and other instruments. Strings make sounds by ...