Talk:17-string koto

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[edit] Move proposal

Is this the commonly accepted English-language name of the instrument, or only a term used to describe it? Is it a term applied only when the writer and/or reader would not understand "juushichigen", is it simply a translation, or is it an official term that one might find commonly used in formal English-language music encyclopedias and other publications? LordAmeth 07:09, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
It really is called "17-string koto," as for example on the recordings of Kazue Sawai, Miya Masaoka, and Shoko Hikage, three famous players of the instrument. Badagnani 07:14, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
Hmm. Alright. Well, I don't generally like using English terms for natively Japanese objects, but I'll go along with it if that's what others think. I would have to vote against an article title that begins with numerals, however. Is Seventeen-string koto feasible/acceptable? LordAmeth 23:39, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
The case is different from shamisen, as that's the commonly known name in English (in addition to "sangen," which refers to the number of strings, but does not have the name of the instrument, since the name translates directly as "three strings," and it's understood what it is. With the koto, however, this Japanese name doesn't have the word "koto" in it, because it's understood that this is the only 17-stringed Japanese instrument. That's why "17-string koto" is more proper, added to the fact that this is the way this instrument's name has historically been presented in English. Badagnani 23:44, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
Spelling out "Seventeen" would be a very rare English rendering, with less than 10 percent of the Google hits. I understand that Twelve string guitar has the numeral spelled out. Badagnani 23:46, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
Okie doke. Sounds good to me. LordAmeth 02:03, 16 September 2007 (UTC)