Koto and Jiuta shamisen Player
Los Angeles, CA
Yoko Awaya is one of the leading Koto artists in Southern California who has concertized in major cities throughout the United States. She was also featured in many motion pictures and in the studio recordings for Walt Disney World.
Biwa Player
Los Angeles, CA
Nobuko Fukatsu is a Biwa (Japanese lute) player based in Los Angeles, California. Born in Japan, she started to study Satsuma-biwa under the prominent biwa musician Yoshiko Sakata in 2005.
Koto and Jiuta shamisen Player
Los Angeles, CA
Saeko Kujiraoka began studying the Ikuta technique of Koto playing in Tokyo, Japan. She received an advanced degree in Koto, Sangen, and classical singing from the Michio Miyagi School of Koto in Japan.
Koto, Jiuta shamisen, and Shinobue Player
Los Angeles, CA
Born and raised in the Tohoku area in Japan and having lived in Tokyo as well, Kozue is now based in the Los Angeles area.
Tsuzumi and Nagauta/Yamatogaku-style shamisen Player
Los Angeles, CA
Born and trained in Japan, Mariko Watabe is one of the foremost experts in theatrical Kabuki style music and dance.
Traditional Japanese Music Troupe (Tsuzumi, Vocals, and Shamisen)
Los Angeles, CA
Fuji Japanese Music is a traditional Japanese music troupe founded and headed by instructor Mariko Watabe. Troupe focuses on Shamisen and voice for Nagauta and Yamatogaku and Hayashi.
Koto and Jiuta shamisen Player
Oakland, CA
Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, a fourth generation American of Japanese descent. Her mother is a respected head of the Chikushi Kai in Fukuoka, Japan.
Japanese Folk Music and Dance Group
Sacramento, CA
Tsubaki Ensemble is a Japanese folk music and dance group based in Sacramento California.
Koto and Jiuta shamisen Player
San Francisco, CA
Ms. Handa began studying koto at the age of 50 years old after moving to the USA by marriage. Before then, she worked as a researcher/educator of Science at a national university in Japan for 24 years.
Koto Player
San Jose, CA
Ms. Toki began studying the koto at the age of three years old. She studied under the late Aihara Masashino (Master, Ikuta School of Traditional Music), as well as Kawasaki Masachizu (Grand Master, Ikuta School of Traditional Music).
