The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument and a member of the zither family. It typically has 13 strings stretched over a long, slightly arched resonating body made of paulownia wood. Each string has a movable bridge called a 'ji' that is used to tune the instrument. The player wears three plectra (picks) on the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the right hand to pluck the strings, while the left hand provides expression by pressing down on the strings to change the pitch or create vibrato. Historically, the koto was introduced to Japan from China during the Nara period and was initially reserved for the imperial court. Over centuries, it became a staple of 'sankyoku' ensembles alongside the shamisen and shakuhachi. The koto is often likened to a dragon, with the parts of the instrument named after various parts of the dragon's anatomy, such as the head and the tail.