Features Shitan Uwazuno Koto This koto is made of close-grained paulownia which is better than the Shitan Kakumaki Koto. Uwazuno Maki model. Paulownia, Shitan Kuchimae bag, Ogire, Koto carrying case, Pick (finger pick), Bridge (box included) Description Product Description The 'Shiburoku' and 'Kashiwaba' is made of sandalwood. It is a Uwazuno model with bordered plastics. The quality of fine grained wood is very high. The koto will be stringed when it is delivered. (please do the tuning by yourself) It is said that the Koto was brought to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty just before the Nara period. In those days the koto was used as an instrument of orchestral music for the Japanese court music. It is said that a style called 'tsukushiryu' was the origin of koto music in Japan. This is because a priest of Zendo-ji temple in Kyushu District - Higashikurume area called 'Kenjun', was affected by Japanese court music and koto music, and achieved a success of koto music at the last years of the Muromachi period.