Electronic Press Kit
Our Mission
Tradition, Innovation
and Inspiration
Blending traditional and modern sounds of the Japanese koto, we inspire players and our community with musical performance and cultural collaboration throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Bio
Oregon Koto-Kai (OKK), founded by Tokyo-born koto master Mitsuki Dazai, is a premier koto ensemble based in the Pacific Northwest, performing Japanese koto (zither) music that ranges from traditional to contemporary. Their repertoire even includes a number of arranged western pieces, from classical to pop, and several original works.
In addition to performing dozens of time each year throughout the region, the group holds three of their own yearly concerts in Portland: an annual concert in the fall featuring a dramatic music program, a winter holiday concert featuring beautiful seasonal pieces, and a summer concert that serves as student recital and debut of many new pieces.
OKK players rehearse together regularly and take individual lessons to master many traditional and advanced modern koto techniques. Their dedication to this unique instrument, the group, and their community shows in every performance. As a result audiences are transported across world while experiencing the beautiful, soothing, and dramatic range of the koto!
Short Bio
Oregon Koto-Kai was founded by Tokyo-born Koto performer/instructor, Mitsuki Dazai in 2012. Under Dazai’s tutelage, each player has learned the time-honored traditions of koto performance as well as the most advanced contemporary techniques. Oregon Koto-Kai performs at numerous cultural festivals and venues throughout the state, and hosts live concerts annually.
Photos
Logos
Music
Sakura Sakura for Three Kotos Arranged by Kaoru Wada, 2017
Koto 1 - Amy Shoemaker
Koto 2 - Miyuki Sakiyama
Koto 3 - Josh Faber-Hammond
Midnight Rain Composed by Elizabeth Falconer, 1989
Koto 1 - Miyuki Sakiyama
Koto 2 - Amy Shoemaker
Koto (Old Capital) Composed by Shin Miyashita, 1977
Koto 1 - Nobuko Chalfen, Rena Takahashi
Koto 2 - Amy Shoemaker, Mitsuki Dazai
Ginyuka (Song of the Troubadours) Composed by Hikaru Sawai, 1998
Koto 1 - Rena Takahashi
Koto 2 - Josh Faber-Hammond
Bass Koto - Amy Shoemaker
For digital press copies of our album, please contact us.
Video
Testimonials
“I love the way that the koto's tones in musical space stimulate imagination and create illusions. With both bright and dark sounds, the koto's sonic colors collaborate to produce feelings and emotions.”
“Beautiful and mesmerizing!”
“Absolutely in awe of your musicianship and ensemble.”
“Thank you for your dedication to your instrument, your years of practice, your skill at collaboration, your ear for beauty, and for putting this [music] out into the world.”
“Exquisite and so moving.”
“[The performance] illustrates that koto playing requires a high degree of proficiency, a good ear, sensitivity, and a thorough knowledge of how to present the nuances and colors of sound.”
“A spectacular performance!”