Music has continued to be created since the beginning of time, as well as instruments to play that music. There are typical sounds you hear and instruments you see that become synonymous with specific regions and cultures. Instruments such as the shamisen or the kokyu are heard exclusively in Japan. 

But, what about the bizarre instruments that have been introduced over the years? Let’s take a look at three of the most bizarre musical instruments found in Japan, and what makes them so unique from more traditional-sounding Japanese instruments.

Although the koto has been around since the thirteenth centuries and gives a very traditional sound of the Japanese music that people are used to, the look and play of the instrument are rather bizarre. The harp-like instrument is long and narrow, with a typical amount of 13 strings, although it can have more. The strings are played by hand, with the person wearing three ‘finger picks’ worn on the index, middle, and ring finger of the right hand. The person is usually sitting or kneeling next to the instrument while playing. Women are typically seen playing the koto more than men.

Unlike any other instrument you’ve seen in the world, the sho is an ancient reed instrument made from bamboo introduced from China in the eighth century. The strange look of the handheld instrument is truly bizarre. The reeds lift up to the sky with a mouthpiece at the bottom. The player holds the sho at the base up to their mouth. The sound that is produced is similar to an organ, or some say it is very close to the call of a phoenix. The sho has appeared in contemporary western music, showing up as an instrument played by Icelandic performer Bjork and also by German composer Stephen Micus.  

A more modern instrument and definitely the most bizarre on this list is the otamatone. Introduced in 2009 by the Japanese toy company CUBE, this strange upright instrument's initial purpose was meant to be something used by children. But, since its inception, it has been used by people of all ages to create music. It synthesizes sound electronically, giving a strangely high to low-pitched sound almost resembling the sounds of a theremin. It is played with two hands, one hand hitting the notes on the stem and the other hand squeezing the base, or the ‘head’ at the bottom of the instrument. A little face drawn on the ‘head’ makes it look as if the music is coming from this strange creature.  

Japan produces some of the most creative minds in the world, and with that, some of the most creative musicians in the world. If you are not familiar with these instruments, make sure to watch the video clips of these bizarre-sounding musical machines. You may find a new sound that you’ve never heard before.