koto

English

noun

Definitions

(musical instrument) A Japanese stringed instrument having numerous strings, usually seven or thirteen, that are stretched over a convex wooden sounding board and are plucked with three plectra, worn on the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of one hand.

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 琴 (koto, a koto, a zither, zither, Japanese zither, musical instrument).

Origin

Japanese

琴

Gloss

koto, a koto, a zither, zither, Japanese zither, musical instrument

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

kotoist English
kotolike English
koto French
こと座 Japanese
倭琴 Japanese
和琴 Japanese
大和琴 Japanese
新羅琴 Japanese
木 Japanese
東琴 Japanese
琴 Japanese
琴鳥 Japanese
音 Japanese