Koto-zume(Koto Plectrum)

When you play the Koto you put on the Koto-zume(Koto plectrum) on your fingers.

The Koto- zume is constituted of the nail and the ring.

At the shop they are sold separately.

When you purchase the Koto-zume, you must buy both of them.

And you have to put them together before you use it.

The shape of the nail depends on the School.

The Ikuta School type is square and the Yamada School one is round.

(This picture is the Ikuta School type)

The nail is made of ivory, plastics, and so on.

It seemed that many of Koto players are using ivory because of the good tone and the good feeling of playing.

The ring is made from leather(cat leather), enameled leather, and so on.

The nail lasts a long time.

But you need to change the ring when it has damaged or loosened.

You must put Koto-zume on your fingers in a good position for best performance.

It is very important to choose the ring that fits your finger.

You must also consider about material, thickness and shape of the nail.

Because they are one of the important elements to select the size of the ring.

The best angle depends on your own finger when you paste the nail to the ring.

You can ask to get pasted them at a Koto shop, of course.

But most of Koto players, include amateur learners, do it by themselves.

Like a Clarinet or Saxophone player adjusts their reeds, it may be the instinct of instrumental performers that they pursue more beautiful sound by adjusting their tools.