zither

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 琴 has 12 strokes and denotes a stringed instrument. It also appears in a metaphor for being emotionally moved.
• Basic usage: 琴 is read こと, and 琴線 is read きんせん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An instrument and heartstrings
  • 琴を静かに奏でている means quietly playing a Japanese zither. It refers to an actual instrument here.
  • 琴線に触れた figuratively means touched someone's heart. A child's remark as well as a melody can do this; it does not mean physically touching a string.