ancient 13-string koto used in Gagaku
A specific type of koto with 13 strings, used in traditional Japanese court music (Gagaku).
In Gagaku performances, the gakusō produces an elegant tone.
Standard kanji spelling for the Gagaku koto.
Variant spelling using 筝, which is also used for the modern koto.
Compound of 楽 (gaku, 'music') and 箏 (sō, 'koto'), referring to the koto used in Gagaku. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with the instrument's role in court music.