Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
お琴の音色、本当に心に染みますね。どのくらい習っていらっしゃるんですか？ — The sound of the koto is truly moving. How long have you been studying? (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
お琴の音色、本当に心に染みますね。どのくらい習っていらっしゃるんですか？
おことのねいろ、ほんとうにこころにしみますね。どのくらいならっていらっしゃるんですか？
The sound of the koto is truly moving. How long have you been studying?
Romaji: Okoto no neiro, hontou ni kokoro ni shimimasu ne. Dono kurai naratte irassharu n desu ka? / Reply Romaji: A, mou sanjuu-nen ni narimasu nee.
Reply
あ、もう三十年になりますねえ。
あ、もうさんじゅうねんになりますねえ。
Oh, it's been about thirty years now.
Gesture & etiquette
Quiet, contemplative tone — music has just been played. Sit still while listening, do not applaud immediately (allow silence to settle). A small bow (20 degrees) when complimenting the performer. If invited closer, observe the instrument with respectful curiosity, hands behind back.
Koto (13-string zither) and shamisen (3-string lute) are pillars of traditional Japanese music (hougaku). Compliments on the 'neiro' (timbre/tone color) are more specific and appreciated than general 'oto ga ii' (good sound). Players have often trained for decades, so asking duration honors their dedication. Different koto schools (Ikuta, Yamada) and shamisen genres (nagauta, jiuta) exist — be open to learning the distinctions.