Koto, Shamisen, and Chikuzen biwa Player
Boulder, CO
Yoko Hiraoka performs on the beautiful and evocative string instruments of Japan; the Koto, Shamisen, Biwa and Voice.
Profiles
Profile Category: Koto
Profiles
Masayo Ishigure（石榑 雅代）
Koto and Jiuta shamisen Player
New York, NY
Masayo Ishigure began playing the koto and jiuta shamisen at the age of five in Gifu, Japan and has created an extensive multi-faceted career that continues to stretch the limits of the koto while maintaining a strong grasp of the tradition.
Profiles
Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble
Koto and Shamisen Ensemble
New York, NY
Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble is a New York based group founded and headed by Ms. Masayo Ishigure. Ms. Ishigure began playing the koto and shamisen at the age of five, and later developed her skills with Tadao and Kazue Sawai as a special research student.
Profiles
Sumie Kaneko（金子 純恵）
Koto and Yamada/Nagauta-style shamisen Player
New York, NY
Boston, MA
Sumie (Sumi-é) Kaneko creates music that spans a millennium. A master in the traditional repertoire of these ancient instruments, she has also pioneered their use in jazz and experimental music, through solo and group performances worldwide.
Profiles
Yoko Reikano Kimura（木村 伶香能）
Koto and Yamada/Kato-style shamisen Player
New York, NY
Yoko Reikano Kimura is a distinguished virtuoso of Japanese koto and shamisen in both traditional and contemporary music. Based in the US and Japan, she has concertized in about 20 countries around the world.
Profiles
Duo YUMENO
Koto, Shamisen and Cello Group
New York, NY
New York based koto / shamisen player and singer Yoko Reikano Kimura and cellist Hikaru Tamaki create a singular fusion sound, inspired by tradition but with a contemporary sensibility.
Profiles
The Columbus Koto Ensemble
Koto Ensemble
Columbus, OH
The Columbus Koto Ensemble is Julie A. Palmer (koto, bass koto), Jessica Entis (koto), and Lori Fannin (koto).
Profiles
Mitsuki Dazai（太宰 満木）
Koto Player
Eugene, OR
Mitsuki Dazai is a graduate of Tokyo’s prestigious Kunitachi College of Music, studied koto with the world-renowned virtuoso Kazue Sawai, and received her certificate in koto instruction at Sawai Koto Institute.
Profiles
Oregon Koto-Kai
Koto Ensemble
Portland, OR
Oregon Koto-Kai was founded by Mitsuki Dazai, who moved to Oregon in 2002. In 2007, accompanied by one of her students, she performed at the Asian Celebration in Eugene.