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How to Draw a Koto
Draw a koto in 11 easy steps, about 8 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the board front.
Step 1: The board front
Below the middle draw a long, thin front for the board, with a gently curved top and a flat bottom.
Tip A koto is a long wooden zither played on the floor.
Step 2: Two big eyes
In the middle of the front draw 2 round eyes side by side. Colour a black dot in each.
Step 3: Smile and cheeks
Under the eyes draw a small U smile, and a tiny flat oval cheek beside each eye.
Step 4: The top and end
Above the front draw the board's top leaning back, curved like the front, with a slanted end on the right.
Step 5: Five strings
Along the top draw 5 thin strings from the left end to the right end, following the curve, evenly spaced.
Step 6: The bridges
Under each string draw a little triangle bridge, its point touching the string, stepping across the board in a slant.
Step 7: Ground
Draw a floor line under the board from left to right, just touching its bottom edge.
Step 8: Notes
Draw a music note in the air on each side of the koto.
Step 9: Pink cheeks, tan top
Go over your lines. Colour the cheeks pink and the board's top tan, leaving the bridges white.
Step 10: Wood front and end
Colour the front and end wood brown, around the pink cheeks, leaving the eyes white.
Step 11: Black notes
Colour the music notes black, and your koto is ready to pluck!
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a koto, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
