I'm still reading volume one of my cambridge history collection on Japan. Rather interesting stuff. I am currently up to the section on Music and Dance in the Asuka and Nara periods. What startled me is that apparently the Koto, is speculated to have been used for more than just aestheticim and entertainment. Apparently, the instrument seems to have been used as part of shamanic rites and helped to summon or attract both Spirits such as Kami and ghosts. Resources sited are the Kojiki, the Nihon Shoki - translation under the title of Nihongi - and one of the poems of the Man'youshou. I knew that music or musical intruments tend to be part of different shamanic traditions, but I hadn't realized, or rather it never crossed my mind that there could be something like this in Early Japan. Then again, Shinto has its early roots in a type of shamanic tradition, at least that is what I've read. Really really fascinating. I wonder if some form of that remains today?