Spirit of Wa: Masterpieces for the Koto — Japan’s Beautiful Melodies
The koto is an instrument with a soft tone and an enchanting sound.
Koto music is perfect for quintessentially Japanese occasions like New Year’s celebrations.
When you listen to it, it feels familiar to the ear and calms the heart.
In this article, I’d like to introduce many famous koto pieces.
By the way, I’ve been using the character “琴” for koto, but some of you might be thinking, shouldn’t it be “箏”?
Strictly speaking, “koto” (琴) and “koto/so” (箏) refer to different instruments.
However, since I want to cover as many pieces as possible, I’m using “koto” here as an umbrella term.
Please read on to the end.
Spirit of Wa: Masterpieces for the Koto – Japan’s Beautiful Melodies (1–10)
Immortal Deity Dance SuiteYuize Shinichi
This piece, regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of contemporary koto music, was composed by Shin’ichi Yuize.
He studied under Michio Miyagi in the Japanese music department at the Tokyo Music School, and later went to the United States, where he studied composition with Henry Cowell at Columbia University.
He drew on his knowledge of a wide range of genres to enrich traditional Japanese music.
Yuize also wrote music for stage and film, so I highly recommend listening to those works as well.
In addition, his Shinsen Chō Buyoku is highly popular as a solo piece for koto.
Beyond AscensionHikaru Sawai
Hikaru Sawai, born as the eldest son of Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai, founders of the Sawai Koto Academy, is active not only as a koto performer but also as a guitarist and flutist.
This piece he composed in 2003 is among his most popular works and is scored as a trio for two koto parts and a 17-string koto.
It makes extensive use of techniques unique to the koto—such as ato-oshi (after-press) and surizume (sliding with the finger pick)—making it a compelling work.
In terms of character, it evokes an image that can be interpreted as both Japanese and Western, expressing his musical aesthetic.
Moon over the Ruined Castle
Strictly speaking, it isn’t a “koto piece,” but songs like Kojo no Tsuki (“Moon over the Ruined Castle”) are often played on the koto.
Many people have arranged and performed it, so it can be fun to compare different versions.
Kojo no Tsuki was composed by Rentaro Taki and blends traditional Japanese 5-7 rhythmic phrasing with Western melodic elements.
When performed on the koto, its appeal stands out even more.
It’s also a song everyone knows, so depending on the arrangement, it can serve as a good practice piece for beginners.
Concerto of PinesMinoru Miki
From a dignified solo to an elegant ensemble, then joined by the shakuhachi to weave a graceful sound—this is Pine Concerto.
It is a work by composer Minoru Miki, who pursued the creation of new music with traditional Japanese instruments.
Experience this celebrated koto masterpiece, first unveiled in 1984, with your own ears.
January 1st
If you’re looking for New Year’s music, how about this all-time classic? Born in 1892 and continuing to color Japan’s New Year to this day, the song “Ichigatsu Tsuitachi” (First Day of January).
Many people probably associate it strongly with the theme song of the variety show “Shinshun Kakushigei Taikai” (New Year’s Hidden Talent Show).
Hearing that melody really makes you feel, “The new year has begun.” Its style is perfectly suited for the koto—there’s hardly a better match.
It would be great to perform as a hidden talent at a New Year’s gathering, don’t you think?
Ring of DreamsHikaru Sawai
This is Sakurakomachi Wagakudan, an all-female so-called wagakki (traditional Japanese instruments) girl group.
They are very popular in overseas performances and play a role in conveying Japanese culture abroad.
This piece was composed by Hikaru Sawai, known as a contemporary composer of Japanese music, and it transcends the boundaries of traditional wagakki repertoire, offering a sense of fusion with Western music.
Incidentally, Hikaru’s father is Tadao Sawai, the composer of “Kaze no Uta” (Song of the Wind).
He has created many other intriguing works as well, so please give them a listen.
Meiji Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
One of the Shōchikubai pieces—works themed on the New Year’s decorations of pine, bamboo, and plum—this composition was written as a duet for two koto in high and low registers.
Its composer, Yoichi Kikuzuka, created multiple pieces, including this one, that embody the novel sensibilities of the Meiji era known as “Meiji Shinkyoku” (new Meiji compositions).
It incorporates a special tuning method called “music box tuning.” Although it includes sung lyrics, those lyrics are waka poems composed between 1900 and 1902 by figures such as the Meiji Emperor and the Empress.
You could call it a fascinating collaboration.