“I want to listen to Koto music, but where should I start?” “What kind of songs will I learn in a workshop?”

If you’ve ever asked these questions, this guide is for you. As a professional player, I’ve curated a list ranging from the 400-year-old “soul of Japan” to the high-energy modern tracks of the Sawai Koto School.

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1. The Timeless Classics (Edo Period)

These pieces represent the foundation of Japanese aesthetics.

• Rokudan no Shirabe / by Yatsuhashi Kengyo

  • The Vibe: This is the “base” of all Koto music. It consists of six sections (Dan) that start slowly and gradually build up speed. It’s the ultimate minimalist masterpiece.

• Sakura Sakura / Japanese Folk Song

  • The Vibe: The most famous melody in Japan. It’s the perfect piece for beginners to learn “Oshide” (pressing the strings to change the pitch), which creates that iconic “crying” sound of the Koto.

2. The Bridge to Modernity (Michio Miyagi)

In the early 20th century, the genius Michio Miyagi revolutionized the Koto by blending Japanese tradition with Western classical influences.

• Haru no Umi (The Sea in Spring)

  • The Vibe: Famous as Japan’s New Year’s theme. Inspired by the French Impressionists, the duet between Koto and Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) perfectly depicts waves and seagulls on the Seto Inland Sea.

• Sakura Variations

  • The Vibe: A brilliant, virtuosic arrangement of “Sakura Sakura.” It features dazzling arpeggios and fast plucking that showcase the Koto’s dynamic range.

3. The New Era: Contemporary Koto (Sawai Style)

This is where the Koto meets the energy of Rock and Jazz. As an advanced certificate holder of the Sawai Koto Kyokuin, these are the pieces I am most passionate about.

• Homura (Flame) / by Tadao Sawai

  • The Vibe: Created by the founder of the Sawai School. It’s powerful, percussive, and intensely emotional. It pushes the Koto to its absolute limits—truly a soul-stirring experience.

• Shaei (Slanting Shadows) / by Tadao Sawai

  • The Vibe: A poetic piece describing the interplay of light and shadow at sunset. It’s sophisticated and deeply atmospheric, showing the instrument’s lyrical depth.

• Tori no Youni (Like a Bird) / by Hikaru Sawai

  • The Vibe: Fast, rhythmic, and incredibly stylish. It sounds almost like a piano or a harp played with the intensity of a rock guitar. It’s a huge hit with younger audiences and international fans.

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Experience the Sound Yourself!

Koto music is a living tradition that continues to evolve. While recordings are great, nothing beats the physical vibration of the strings when you pluck them yourself.

At my workshop, “Koto” Japanese Instrument Experience, I help beginners play “Sakura Sakura” in just one hour. Whether you are visiting Hiroshima or living in Kobe, I invite you to discover the profound beauty of this instrument.

Are you ready to find your own sound?