KOTO - The zither-like musical instrument koto developed during the Nara period (710-794). The koto has 13 strings on a long, rectangular body made of paulownia wood. Below the strings are movable bridges to adjust the scale. The koto is played with small picks on the right hand.

This ensemble performs both classic and contemporary Japanese music for the traditional Japanese instruments, Koto and Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute). We introduce the charm and potential of the traditional Japanese instrument by having the people of Asia listen up close to both the ancient Japanese music that had been passed on for many centuries and the contemporary music that was created newly with change in lifestyles and tastes that came from the influx of western culture.

Ms. Kazue Sawai is a 17-string bass koto player as well as a standard 13-string one. She began her studies at the age of eight with Michio Miyagi and graduated from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. She made debut at joint recital with her husband, Tadao Sawai. She is a co-founder with husband of the Sawai Koto Academy (Sawai Sokyokuin) in Tokyo. Since 1978, she has toured widely as soloist, with her Koto Ensemble in Brazil, France, Germany, England, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Australia and USA as well as concerts in Japan. Kazue Sawai has received numerous awards and grants.