Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
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Important Cultural Property

Bridges for a Zither (Koto)

琴柱
Bridges for a Zither (Koto) (琴柱)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Art Object · Nara period, 8th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category
Art Objects
Date
701–800
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-117750

Find more

Bridges like these were used to tune zither instruments such as koto and sō. These particular bridges were probably made for a twelve-stringed, Korean-style zither. They are coated in lacquer and decorated in leaf shapes and upper borders cut from gold foil.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Bridges for a Zither (Koto)（琴柱）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-117750. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/bridges-for-a-zither-koto/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Material: Lacquered wood
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Genre: Collection of Hōryūji Treasures
  • 員数: 6枚
  • 分類: 法隆寺宝物
  • 品質形状: 木製漆塗切箔
  • 法量: 各高2.7～3.4 各幅4.2～5.1

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