飛躍 (Hiyaku-to leap forward)

This is the first section of one of the koto pieces I have recently studied.  My part was the second part, I could not find a recording of both parts played together, which is unfortunate because it is stunningly beautiful.

Here is the first page of music.  Each measure is a "box."  There are thirteen strings, each assigned a kanji character.  The first ten are simple numbered one through ten.  The last three strings are "toh, ee and kin."  I am not sure why...  The strings kanji are as follows from lowest to highest-ichi to kin.

一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九, 十、斗、為、巾。

My part, the second (which is what I am playing the video),  is the part on the left.  The music is read top to bottom, right to left.  I have added further explanations of some of the notations in blue. 

Since this piece is several pages long, I just recorded the first and last sections.  Here is the ending:

There are also many, many ways to tune the koto.  This piece has a more "major" sound to it whereas Sakura sounds "minor." 

More to come!

さくらさくら (Sakura, Sakura)

Sakura-Cherry blossoms.

This is probably the most famous folk song from Japan...even if you don't think you know anything about Japan, chances are good that you have heard this tune.

When you start learning how to play the koto, this is the first piece you learn.  It's like learning "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" when beginning to study the piano.


When I began my koto studies this past July, I also had to learn Sakura...

This is a very simple version of Sakura.  My teacher recently gave me the "advanced" version, which I have just begun to learn.  More on that later.

Stay tuned for more pieces and a post on the sheet music of the koto. (It's waaaaaaay different from what I was used to reading!)

An Investment

Leaning against a wall in the tatami room, there were six or seven kotos.  Their long, graceful figures reaching towards the ceiling.  I couldn’t believe I was about to call one of these exotic instruments my own.

“Which one do you like?” asked my teacher. 

“Which one is best?”

The one with the orange floral décor was the best quality, she said.  I completely trusted her opinion.  The decision was made.  

Next, the accessories:  ivory picks, the pick case, the silky koto cover, the music stand, the koto stands and the music itself.  

For a musician, this was like Christmas morning.  So. Exciting.

My first koto lesson was spent getting me set up with all of my new equipment, explaining the instrument and simple first instructions.

I was practically bursting with excitement.  I had gone from being a full-time music major practicing for hours every day, to not even having an instrument to play for the past year.  A big change.

I have now been studying koto since early July.  It is completely different from any musical instrument I have ever played-I love it.  This could very well be the groundwork for a future masters degree in ethnomusicology. 

You never know…I just follow my love of music through life.

So far it hasn’t led me astray. 

More on the music (maybe even a video!) and koto learning adventures coming soon.

Realization

Sometimes life just…hits you.

Like when you step back and realize that…

…you have (already!!!!) been married for nearly one year.

Where has the time gone!?

 …you have been living in Japan for almost one year.

First sighting of Japan from the plane last August-Hokkaido Island

…you know how to speak, read and write a good bit of Japanese. (Something I never thought I would be able to do!) 

Kanji are pretty, but tough to learn.

…you graduated college over a year ago and are doing something that has nothing to do with your degree-but has everything to do with further education.  

Onward to "real life."

Last week I found myself being struck by a bought of homesickness.  I was longing for the time when I would move back to the States and continue on to the next phase in life.  I have always been one to yearn for the future and what it holds for me.

I need to quit that.

Because the future does not exist.  The present does.

Yesterday I was reminded that I should focus on taking full advantage of my current circumstances: The koto sensei finally got back to me.  She is very excited to have me as a student.  My koto lessons will begin on Sunday, July 10^th.    

I am reeeeeally excited about this.

This is an amazing opportunity to learn not only about music and culture, but also to prompt my Japanese learning along.  Her English is very good, but our communication will be a blend of Japanese and English.   

What a great experience for both of us!