Kotos are about 180cm long and have 13 strings that are strung tautly across 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. Players make base pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and three finger picks (on thumb, forefinger, and middle finger) are used to pluck the strings.
The Koto was introduced to Japan in the 7th to 8th century from China (called gŭzhēng[?])and was initially played mainly in royal court, later spreading into more common use.
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