Belly Warmer Tie

When we put the Koto away, we put a “Tenugui (Japanese hand towels)” between the table board and the strings. It looks like a belly warmer tie.

But it is not for warming the Koto.

The Koto is made of the Paulownia wood. The character of the Paulownia is soft and light.

When you play the Koto, you put some “Kotoji (the bridges for tuning)”on the table board.

And after playing, you should take them off to prevent the surface of the Koto from denting by them.

Furthermore, it is not enough.

The strings are put on the left and right bridges which are called “Ryukaku” and “Unkaku”.

On the other hand, the central part of the Koto’s body is swelling.

If you do not anything, the strings push on the table board and they make stripe marks on it.

So we use the “Tenugui” to protect the Koto.

When you do not treat the Koto carefully, it is easily damaged.

It makes a beautiful sound thanks to this characteristic.