Etymology Map
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Koto

2 stages from Japanese to English.

Today it means a traditional Japanese plucked zither with movable bridges

Where does the word "koto" come from? It comes from Japanese koto, adopted directly into English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
koto
Japanese · ancient
"a long plucked zither"
named the long, multi-stringed zither introduced from continental Asia and adapted at court
2
Stage 2 of 2
koto
English · 1800s
"a traditional Japanese thirteen-stringed zither"
borrowed by Western writers describing Japanese classical music
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