Koto concert

Last night as SOAS's Brunei Gallery: famous musician Kameyama Kono playing the traditional Japanese stringed instrument 'Koto'. She was accompanied by her daughter on Shamisen (or Sangen) which is a little bit like a three-stringed Western banjo, played using a large comb-shaped tool; and a gentleman on a type of flute called a Shakuhachi.

Koto resembles a long, flat, 13-stringed 'harp'. Strings are plucked and manipulated to make sound. Little bridges are used to tune the strings, and the whole instrument can be retuned to suit a different piece (or, it seems, during a piece to suit different parts!) Apparently, very similar instruments exist in China and Korea.

I admit I am no fan of classical Western music, but quite enjoyed the Japanese version. It was very light and quite calming, though to a lay-person did not have anything like the shape of the music we expect in Europe. (Experts might know better!)

The concert was free. And the trio will also be performing in Bath and Oxford later this week. Plus back at London's St Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet Street this Friday lunchtime.


Pic courtesy SOAS