Special Experience

Tokyo & around

Koto Lesson & Live Performance by a Celebrated Koto Player at a Japanese Instrument Store

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イメージ拡大マーク
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Overview

Sankindo has been a fixture in Yokohama for over 40 years, specializing in Japanese musical instruments. This exclusive experience at Sankindo offers a rare chance to explore the world of koto, a traditional Japanese instrument. Guided by Mako Isogawa, a celebrated Yamada-style koto player, you will immerse yourself in koto amidst a collection of stunning Japanese musical instruments. The experience concludes with a taste of Sankindo's special inari sushi, made of sweet and salty fried bean curd wrapped around vinegared rice.

Key Features

・Delve into the world of koto with Wabunka's exclusive experience at Sankindo, a store specializing in Japanese musical instruments
・Receive direct guidance from Mako Isogawa, a Yamada-style koto player and winner of the grand prize in the 5th Japanese Musical Instrument Songwriting Contest
・Following the lesson, you can enjoy the exclusive Sankin inari sushi at the adjacent teahouse

Tokyo & around

from
¥26,000 /person

Private event

1 - 4 participants

120 min

Available in English

Cancel free up to 11 days before

* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 52,000

Details

Beautiful Koto Tones Resonate at an Established Japanese Instrument Store

Sankindo in Yokohama specializes in selling and repairing Japanese musical instruments, and also offers classes. Established in 1981 by its first owner, who was deeply passionate about koto and shamisen, the store was renovated in 2019 by the current owner. With the addition of a teahouse doubling as an event space, Sankindo has transformed into a welcoming hub where even newcomers to these instruments can feel comfortable, spreading the beauty and tradition of koto music.

Visitors can listen to powerful performances up close

Explore the charm of koto through this experience led by Mako Isogawa, a Yamada school koto player. Not just a skilled performer, she is a songwriter who clinched the top prize in the 5th Japanese Musical Instrument Songwriting Contest, endorsed by the National Federation of Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments Associations. With a history of traveling across Japan by invitation from educational institutions and community organizations, she actively nurtures the next generation of musicians.

Isogawa began playing the koto at the age of 3 under the influence of her older sister

Immerse Yourself in a Live Koto Performance and Comprehensive Course on Playing

You will start by watching Isogawa's performance. Positioned upfront, the stage offers a clear view of her precise finger movements plucking the strings. From the famous koto piece "Rokudan no Shirabe" to her original compositions, the melodies gently or vibrantly resonate, captivating your emotions. While the beautiful tones play, your imagination naturally flourishes, painting scenes of blossoming flowers, ocean waves, and various storytelling moments.

As the performance begins, the mood shifts from serene to one of dignified solemnity

Following the performance, a lecture on the history, types, and schools of koto will begin. Isogawa will share her knowledge in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner, incorporating personal experiences to make traditional music more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Explore the koto's history and structure in an easily comprehensible manner. Enhance your understanding through the combined experience of lecture and performance

The koto journeyed from China to Japan during the Nara period (710-794), and the modern koto music was shaped by musician Yatsuhashi Kengyo in the early Edo period (1603-1868). While the Ikuta school predominated in Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, the Yamada school carved its own path by blending joruri (a type of narrative with shamisen accompaniment), nagauta (a type of shamisen music that developed in Edo around the beginning of the 18th century), and Noh songs—popular in Edo—to craft a distinctive style. Isogawa, sharing a smile, says, "The appeal of the Yamada style lies in its pursuit of pure tonal beauty. I wish everyone could experience the joy I feel when I play."

Plucking the Strings to Find a Tone Only You Can Produce

The koto lesson kicks off. Seated before the instrument with a koto pick in hand, there is a hint of nerves. Yet, as the strings are plucked a few times, the tones gradually round out, drawing an instant fascination. "A skilled player can convey profound emotions with just one note and weave an epic tale for the listener," says Isogawa.

Sankindo's atmospheric storefront brings vibrant charm to Hakuraku's streetscape

The key is to engage your entire body, not just your fingertips, when moving your fingers from string to string. Isogawa, both an instructor and performer, imparts not just the fundamentals of koto but also the delight of connecting with the instrument. "The koto is surprisingly beginner-friendly. Unlike the guitar with complex chord progressions, it's easy to take those initial steps," she says. Let the string vibrations soothe you as you explore a tone uniquely your own.

Lessons are held surrounded by many Japanese instruments. Feel the strings' vibrations and the gentle swaying directly resonating through your body

The koto is also often accompanied by singing. In the next step, you will practice well-known Japanese tunes like "Sakura Sakura." Once you are comfortable, you will try playing while humming along. By channeling your voice from your core, your body relaxes, leading to a soothing state. The harmonizing voices and the instrument's sound intertwine, creating a feeling of unity between you and the koto.

Take your time and go at your own pace," says Isogawa

Indulge in Sankindo’s Special Inari Sushi after the Lesson

Following the lesson, indulge in Sankin Inari Sushi, a type of sushi where vinegared rice is wrapped in fried bean curd made of Japanese whole soybeans boiled in sweet and salty sauce. Normally available only on Fridays and Saturdays, it is specially prepared for this experience at the adjacent Sankin Chaya. Presented in three flavors—plain, yuzu, and seaweed—the fried tofu flavored with dashi (soup stock made from only natural ingredients: dried bonito flakes, dried kelp, shiitake mushroom powder, and dried sardine powder) offers a soft, fluffy texture with each bite. As you savor the inari sushi and reflect on the koto lesson, it is a moment of pure bliss.

Sankin Chaya's signature creation, inspired by a commitment to honor Japanese culture

Exploring Traditional Music: A Journey of Emotions and Life's Nuances

As you explore the koto at Sankindo, guided by Isogawa, you will draw closer to the essence of traditional Japanese music. Within each note of koto music lies a multitude of emotions and untold stories. Come explore the profound world of koto music, letting the strings' vibrations and tones soothe your body and soul.

Isogawa's passionate sharing will ignite your curiosity for koto music



Sankindo/Mako Isogawa

Sankindo
Established in 1981 by a skilled craftsman of Japanese musical instruments, Sankindo underwent renovation in 2019 under its current owner. The aim was to create a welcoming space, inviting even those unfamiliar with musical instruments to engage freely. Additionally, this transformation serves as a conduit for fostering connections among people and sharing the allure of traditional music.

Mako Isogawa
She began studying koto music and shamisen in the Yamada style under Kameya Kouno. She graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and completed the NHK Traditional Music Technicians Training Program. Her journey with the koto began with an instrument owned by her grandmother. Eventually, she became a performer, showcasing her talent both domestically and internationally. Additionally recognized as a shamisen player, she is part of the female trio "Shamisen Nadeshiko," performing nationwide.

Location

Sankindo
Yokohama, Kanagawa

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November 2024

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Experience fee

Minimum fee JPY 26000 × 2 participants

JPY 52,000

*Minimum: 2 participants; JPY 26,000 × 2 will be charged for bookings below the minimum.

Price may change after date is selected.

Additional options fee

Interpretation in English

JPY 0

Other

Service fee (5%)

JPY 2,600

Total Price

JPY 54,600

tax & service fee incl.

Extra charges may apply for the following

  • ・Interpretation / Dependant on experience schedule and language
  • ・Optional add-ons / Souvenirs, delivery, etc.
While your booking is being processed, a temporary authorization hold will be placed on your credit card. Charges occur upon confirmed reservation.

Tokyo & around

from
¥26,000 /person

Private event

1 - 4 participants

120 min

Available in English

Cancel free up to 11 days before

* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 52,000

Things to know

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We also accept bookings from corporate clients and travel agencies.