Koto Youth (13-17) Workshop
Schedule
Sun, 01 Feb, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sun, 01 Mar, 2026 at 12:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre | Toronto, ON
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Information
What is Koto?The current 13-stringed koto is said to have originated from China during the Naraperiod (8th century) and initially found its place in gagaku performances. Introduced asone of the instruments used in aristocratic orchestral music, it began to be used intemples around the 13th century. By the 17th century, blind musician Yatsuhashi Kengyōmade modifications to koto music, evolving it into an art form accessible to a wideraudience. With the introduction of Western music to Japan during the Meiji period, fromthe 19th to the 20th century, the koto music scene was also influenced. Miyagi Michio,while deeply rooted in traditional performance, incorporated Western musical elements,establishing a new style of Japanese music. One of his masterpiece Haru no Umi, isstill often heard during the New Years celebrations.How to play the KotoThe thumb plucks the strings by pressing them from the side closer to the player towardthe opposite side. The index finger and middle finger pluck the strings from the oppositeside toward the player. Typically, the left hand presses the strings on the left side of thebridges to change the pitch.Workshop InformationThere are two classes being offered in this workshop series with the Introductory Youth (13-17) workshops being held on the same days before the Introductory Adult (18+) workshop. The Youth workshop takes place from 10am to 12pm while the Adult workshop takes place from 1pm to 3pm.Tickets will be available from here;Youth (13-17): $100 members / $120 non-membersAdults (18+): $120 members / $140 non-membersPlease Note:This class is mainly taught in Japanese. As such basic Japanese language understanding is requiredAll Supplies/Equipment is providedno refunds/exchanges
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Where is it happening?
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto, Canada
Tickets
CAD 117.75 to CAD 140.35
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