The decorated koto that might be too beautiful to play

"This object has art, it has music, it's got myth, but behind all that there's a very human story."

"This object has art, it has music, it's got myth, but behind all that there's a very human story."

Curator Kenneth Moore on a beautifully ornate Japanese instrument.

Explore this object:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/505626

Throughout 2013, The Met invited curators from across the Museum to each talk about one artwork that changed the way they see the world. Each episode is interpreted by a Museum photographer.

Photography by Karin L. Willis

“Kuroda‐Bushi” performed by the Master Musicians of the Ikuta-Ryu on "The Soul of the Koto Volume Two," Lyrichord Discs Inc. LYRCD 7433

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Contributors

Ken Moore
Curator Emeritus, Department of Musical Instruments

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Koto (箏), Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan  Japanese, Various woods, ivory and tortoiseshell inlays, gold and silver inlays, metalwork, cloth, laquer, paper,, Japanese
Metalwork by Goto Teijo, 9th generation Goto master, Japan
Gotō Yūjō
early 17th century