Japanese Koto Classics

Shinichi Yuize - Japanese Koto Classics

From the liner notes:

SOME NOTES ON THE KOTO:
The instrument averages about six feet in length and ten inches in width, and has thirteen strings of equal thickness. The strings are of wound, starched silk. There are thirteen small bridges, one for each of the strings. Tunings are changed by shifting the movable bridges to a new position. The strings are struck with three ivory picks which are attached to the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of the player's right hand. The date of the introduction into Japan of the koto (perhaps one of the oldest musical instruments of the world) is not quite certain. The only stories more or less credible are what old records tell us: that there was in China a good koto player around the early fifth century; that a koto was presented as a tribute from China to the Todaiji temple, constructed in 755; that a certain Sadatoshi Fujiwara came back from China (T'ang) with techniques of koto playing he had learned there, etc. It may safely be said that several different types of koto were brought over to Japan at different times during the early period of interchange with China.

Tracklisting:

SIDE ONE

1. Zangetsu {6:54}

2. Fuki {4:03}

3. Midare {6:59}

SIDE TWO

1. Akikaze {6:09}

2. Chidori {11:17}

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