Japanese Koto Consort / Ikuta School [LYRYCHORD]

The development of koto music was one of Japan's most valuable contributions to the history of classical music. Some scholars trace the instrument back to the 8th Century or earlier but koto music became firmly established in the 16th Century, and the present-day 13-stringed instrument and the music written for it are inherited from that time. Originally a court instrument, the koto with its harplike sound became a symbol of gentility and good taste in the home. Playing the Koto well is an accomplishment that enhances the marital prospects of well-bred Japanese girls. Three schools were established among koto musicians from the 17th to the 19th Centuries. The traditions of each school (ryu) exist today. They are the Yatsuhashi-ryu, Ikuta-ryu and Yamada-ryu. Each school used differently shaped finger picks, thereby producing different sounds and techniques. For example, musicians of the lkuta-ryu who made this recording use square picks and play a koto that is longer than the usual six foot size..

01 - Yachiyo Jinsi [10:09]
Vocal with Shakuhachi, Shamisen, Koto
02 - Aki No Kyoku [13:02]
Vocal with Koto and Shakuhachi

03 - Kyo No Warabeuta [4:33]
Koto, Shamisen and Shakuhachi

04 - Marboroshi O Otte [5:14]
05 - Sasurai [6:56]
06 - Oedo Nihonbashi [2:36]
Koto and Shakuhachi

07 - Kojo No Tsuki [2:07]
Kotos

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JAPANESE KOTO CONSORT
(Kotos, Jushichigen, Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Voice)

Featuring musicians of the Ikuta-School, including
Kofu Kikusui, Shakuhachi, Reikin
Noriko Noda, Kotos, Shamisen
Yayoi Nishimura, Koto