Loading details…
Artist
Ayako Lister
12+ albums
japanesetraditional japanesekotojapanese folkasian classical and traditional
about
Ayako Lister is an Anglo-Japanese historian at London School of Economics. The koto is an instrument dating back some 1,200 years and is the longest of the zithers found in East Asia. The slightly convex body is made of paulownia wood and is almost two meters long. Thirteen silk strings are stretched over the body of the instrument, each supported by a bridge (called a ji). As with other instruments in the zither family, there are innumerable tuning permutations that allow for great improvisation by a skilled player -- Hotta-Lister is an undoubted virtuoso of the koto, having learned to play when a child. Three ivory plectra are worn on the thumb, index and middle fingers of the right hand. The left hand is used to alter pitch. Anyone who has seen these types of instruments played live will surely recognise the improvisational potential they offer User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
top songs
albums
The Japanese Koto
▥
Best of China and Japan
▥
World Music
▥
Journey Through Tian Shan Mountains
▥
Arc Music: World Music Catalogue on CD (Disc 2)
▥
The Best of China & Japan [1996]
The Japanese Koto (ARC)
20 Best Of Asia, Africa & Australia
▥
The Best of China & Japan
▥
World Music CD 1
▥
The Japanese Koto [Alt. Cover]
Sounds of the far east