Koto Performance by ENOKIDO Fuyuki | Japan House London

One of the most recognisable and evocative sounds of Japan, the 'koto' is a Japanese stringed instrument made from paulownia wood with a rich musical history. First introduced in Japan in the 7th Century CE, originating from the Chinese zheng, the 'koto' became a popular instrument in aristocratic circles and a mainstay of Japanese court life. Over the years, styles of 'koto' playing have evolved, with performers today playing both classical and contemporary pieces. The 'koto' typically has 13 strings tied over 13 moveable bridges which are plucked using three finger picks.
The evening performance will include a discussion session with Ms Enokido chaired by Dr David Hughes, Research Associate of the Department of Music and the Japan Research Centre at SOAS, University of London. bit.ly/2zLDbZH

[@RevWolf1776]

Whether you are here because of Kono Oto Tomare or not I don't think anyone who plays the Koto would care they'd just be happy to share their culture and music with us. That last song was beautiful.

[@Candylover_5]

I'm here because of Kono Oto Tomare. I totally agree with you !! 😊

[@reisui8807]

my bro caught me XD kono oto tomare literally touch my soul

[@qlockwerk553]

Kono Oto Tomare yes yes. the people who just type "Koto" into the search bar and look for the most traditional one xd

[@kevinramos9605]

Im here because of anime “koto oto Tomare” hehe

[@nerium9762]

I am from studio Ghibli's the tale of princess kaguya where the small girl plays the koto so perfectly. I loved that part. You should check it out!! It's on netflix

[@samael9589]

same-

[@fatinamira3700]

same kono oto tamare

[@aquiveal]

Same here

[@aribluestar9734]

Heh, yeah

[@Windai.1111]

I feel this musical instrument is so underrated😭😭😭 ...Ive started to like koto so much. It's so peaceful and calming. If one really listens to it, its super purifying.

[@seppukun208]

Have you watch or read Kono Oto Tomare yet?

[@Windai.1111]

@@seppukun208 I've watched the anime.

[@Windai.1111]

But i believe they usually spoil the sound and flow of the performance by using flashbacks in middle of the performance. And ive read a few chapters of manga but not the whole thing.

[@paigesalas8142]

This instrument is absolutely fascinating i love it. It is the sound of medicine lol. Its gorgeous that part at 17:50 is so dark gives the chills but sounds so cool i need to buy one of these

[@peppercallahan8286]

Underrated? This is the national instrument of Japan. It's extremely praised and beloved in all corners of Asia.

[@larryc3860]

yet another reason why we should watch and listen to music and artists from ALL genres, countries and cultures.......

[@muthuaryanaasarri2015]

after Kono Oto Tomare ........really soothing musical piece

[@RevWolf1776]

truly a fantastic show I only hope we get the 3rd season.

[@muthuaryanaasarri2015]

@@RevWolf1776 yess

[@lenianmochahari2936]

Same

[@密川美子]

六段の調べをこんなに素敵に弾かれてビッグリしました。奏者が素晴らしいと音楽は生き生きしてきますね♪これを手本に、もう一度、六段の調べを弾いてみたいと思いました。

[@raseltalukderusui]

Im loving koto after watching kono oto tomare

[@animesimp887]

OMG SAMEEE THE FEELING U GET LISTENING TO THIS 😭PLZZZ I love it

[@raseltalukderusui]

@@animesimp887 yesss ig T.T

[@AbhaySingh_1]

The more I listen to koto, the more I am captivated by its beauty. It is truly an amazing instrument.

[@kenbarton2599]

There is just something about the Japanese, their culture is so different to any other, a deep spirituality that runs through their lives and every thing they do. I have always wondered what the instrument that creates this sound, now I have discovered it, I can't get enough. Watching and listening to this remarkable lady gives me goosebumps

[@prestonhebb1380]

Ok weeb

[@abelardofuego]

@@prestonhebb1380 😂

[@Windai.1111]

Yeah. I agree. It's like they give their all to whatever they do, whether make music or Make awesome entertainment things like manga anime, even Japanese movies usually has a different and unique concept, or mostly anything. It's just truely mesmerizing.

[@lunarebony6122]

'their culture is so different to any other' korean ppl: 😀 chinese ppl whose culture both japanese and korean culture is directly derived from and its so similar its scary: 🧍🏻‍♀️💀

[@himmel8901]

i get what you're going for but this comments comes off as really cringe, every culture has its deep aspects and while one might intrigue you more than others, that's only because of your taste and doesn't mean that it has something special

[@snactimusmaximus]

The third song is Seiten no Shizuku. You're welcome.

[@asnierkishcowboy]

The last song makes feel like in late 2001, when I played Silent Hill 2 for the first time. Its pure melancholy.

[@urb4nviking219]

9:15 my head just exploded....WHOA!! Excellent!!

[@johnnygroover7774]

Looking into the instrument for Dre’s track “the message” brought me here. Glad I didn’t just glance over and actually listened. She did her thang🔥. My love for string instruments was already high but it’s on another lvl now.

[@rozalinasay7435]

I get goose bumps each time I listen to Koto. She has a really elegant touch! I am also fascinated by the quality of the sound! Thank you for this video! Hope to see more videos with Japanese music

[@Ss-zg3yj]

Koto is an instrument. It can't be "she"

[@asdfghjk-l]

Second sentence doesn't really make sense, a koto is not a pronoun and goosebumps is one word. It should also be a koto, not just koto. it was bugging me.

[@Cowmaize]

⁠@@Ss-zg3yjthey were referring to the musician….

[@Ss-zg3yj]

@@Cowmaize musician name is ENOKIDO Fuyuki not Koto, genius

[@HBSuccess]

She's PLAYING a Koto. Good lord can't anyone read ?

[@Jock1]

Food for the soul indeed.

[@tc2334]

The guzheng is light spring rain and blooming flowers. The gayageum is summer heat and fullness of nature flowing forth. The koto is the cool wind in autumn, the falling leaves and the slow walks that leave you refreshed and thankful.

[@GeoPoly214]

this is just 筝,Zheng。calling it anything else is like calling English American, Spanish Mexican.

[@tc2334]

​@@GeoPoly214 筝 is a logographic character that is read is multiple ways. It's not phonological word (like how many western languages are). In Japanese, 筝 is read as "koto". "Zheng1" is the Mandarin reading. In Cantonese, it's read as "zang1". Furthermore, gayageum is written 伽倻琴. No 筝 involved.

[@GeoPoly214]

@@tc2334 筝is a Chinese character, it should be pronounced as Chinese character. there's no such thing as Cantonese, it's just another Chinese dialect , there are hundreds if not thousands of dialects. 筝is a Chinese character in Japanese or Korean ,yes, kanji literarily means Chinese Character, and Chinese characters have Chinese Pronounication,even though they are not pronounced accurately.

[@tc2334]

@@GeoPoly214 " there's no such thing as Cantonese, it's just another Chinese dialect , there are hundreds if not thousands of dialects"

[@tc2334]

@@GeoPoly214 I wouldn't call a koto a "zheng" when I'm speaking Japanese, so I'm not going to called it a "zheng" when I'm speaking English. But, if I were speaking Chinese, I would refer to it as "riben zheng" because the word (and instrument) take their origin from China, so the character and Chinese reading wouldn't change, we'd just add "Japanese" to the front of it. This happens in English all the time. We don't say "doufu", we say "tofu". We don't say "lamian", we say "ramen". This is because these words and items (even though they originally come from China), became known to English speakers via Japan.

[@ivanoporrino2553]

WONDERFUL SOUND!!!!!

[@lunarebony6122]

everyones here bcs of koto oto tomare but is anyone here bcs they play guzheng and the koto was directly made from the guzheng 🙋‍♂️

[@mahmoudkhaled7603]

That was really awesome

[@briahemphill2157]

Can we include the program of the performance? These pieces are...breathtaking.

[@jamp12008]

I'm not here because of anime. I'm here because I want to here koto 👍🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edit. This is absolutely beautiful

[@TheeMikeForce]

JAPAN HOUSE friggin RULE!

[@Wallyxhr]

Simply beatiful just last second. Thanks.

[@owenaguilarcellohuman]

Delicious playing, thank you so much!

[@jennikohl5189]

I'm here because this is beautiful. Looks like I may have to watch another anime though. 😂

[@puma1166]

Always loved it ❤

[@HugoChong1]

A dissonant in koto is just too intense 😱😱😱 my heart is going mad

[@lionra4523]

Thank you!

[@addyweicherding5478]

I want to know where I can buy one of these? If someone could tell me that would be amazing and such a big help because I've been wanting to buy and learn to play one of these for awhile now.

[@iamupinacloud]

Oh well that's just great.. My love for instruments and music combined with having watched this has only resulted in me becoming more of a weeb! Thanks a lot KOTO!! But with that aside, wow! Absolutely beautifully played and performed. I'm picking my jaw up from the floor. ["picking" pun not intended..] BTW, Koto Oto Tomarei: Sounds of Life brought me here. Yeah.. an otaku too. :'| EDIT !: Those harmonics around 12:30.. SMH.. Sounds divine. EDIT !!: 14:55 and on is highly reminiscent to the music of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

[@11pandemonium]

Exquisite! Thank you

[@saiyanzhao5684]

Check this video out for more kzbin.info/www/bejne/roSpqpqabJZ9gKs

[@11pandemonium]

Saiyan Zhao ....Chills! What a magnificent sound. Thank you L

[@zsuzsannasimits7496]

Congratulations...Is that possible to use a short part of this amazing piece of work for a completely non- profit short documentary film as partial background sound? (Topic: homelessness in elder age). That would be an honour for us...

[@fullvolume1642]

I heard this track in an album by Nanea Yeshimura

[@アオキへロ]

すごいね

[@radionrusnak]

Очень классно звучит инструмент!)

[@susanhindman5271]

sure does

[@yobrojoost9497]

Beautiful, and so very Japanese!

[@dominiquelarueenchantez-vous]

Thanks a lot! it's beautifull !

[@senioraa]

17:03 such an amazing stability

[@DarrenSaw]

Exceptional!

[@turkeeg7644]

what is the name of the third song or passage ... anyone? Thank you ...what a great piece of music

[@scottscott178]

Read The Tale of Genji. Wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

[@jakholly2]

Does anyone know the names of these songs? Especially the 3rd one?

[@xzevedo]

I'd like to know too

[@6eric6little62]

Shit same I’ve been listening the 3rd song more cause of how it’s sounds

[@zobreannbrown631]

Is it only me who is here because of Sounds of Life the animeee???🤭

[@NishchalSingh-uk6px]

I am here after reading the honjin murder

[@Lillyrosechan]

while the koto is usually 13 strings, there are bigger ones that have more and are often used in arrangements, the description stating only 3 fingers are used in plucking the strings is also false, the demonstration alone already shows she also uses her pinky and ring finger, the pinky is especially used for the delicate sounds, and the fingers she wears the plastics on are used to going fast back and forth as well as normal plucking, now I don't play the koto nor do I know the official terms neither am I able to read the official cords or notes since they use a different system over at Japan, but I know enough to say these things confidently that the description is not accurate.

[@AbdosamadAitali]

Oh my goodness ❤❤🎧🇲🇦

[@animesimp887]

WHY IS THIS SO SADDDD 😭🖐️

[@frednaimi6235]

In Afghanistan we use this same instrument in the south we call it “japani”

[@lovefromhuang]

传统曲目，记不住谱子还要看谱？还要翻页？第一次看到 有日本朋友告诉我这是正常的吗？

[@grace.stewartt4224]

What’s the song at 16:06 please I have to know 😭

[@LYUDOED81]

Божественно!

[@am-de4pg]

I am here because of The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo.

[@kesteedavis1386]

🥰🎶

[@Chris-ch8dk]

🙏❤

[@darksteiner631]

it just sounds like the anime lol

[@fuwa9899]

amen

[@darksteiner631]

Amen indeed

[@fuwa9899]

@@darksteiner631 indeed indeed

[@LifeLine-qf9zz]

Kono oto tamare.

[@reza_nadem]

🌺⚘️ Love from Iran

[@B0nel3ss_j3rk]

Here because of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

[@tuladooscuro]

Estoy aqui por murasaki shikibu :)

[@MmeInformaticienne]

I am here because I am reading the honjin murders

[@docwho2828]

Me too, haha! 😂 I like the instrument.

[@Schwaaaang]

I literally just came to turn this on in the background while reading 😂

[@julie6910]

Nearly six minutes of possible relaxation and the audio is gone.... please fix.

[@xzevedo]

name of the pieces, pls

[@smilesface3741]

I think it is rokudan no shirabe

[@smilesface3741]

I have listened to this song which is chosen for the theme of japan from the game civilization 5. You should check it out.

[@Driedsardins]

Does anyone know what the last piece is called?

[@voodoo2267]

Set list?

[@sandrawolters7736]

Watch “Hiroshima One Wish”

[@d4rk50ul5]

7:05

[@Orieus]

She's an Alien👽 that makes beautiful music ...

[@justawatchin2]

human

[@rabiaraqib]

May i ask what is this peiece called

[@lingtheking]

10:08

[@Eternal_froggy]

Tsumuko

[@kodean]

put it on 1.5 speed

[@birdnoir5841]

Asigaru yari

[@tomasgulas]

I'm here because of DeeDee Tibbits

[@bameh3025]

Komurasaki

[@RigobertoErwin-w1b]

Stoltenberg Junction

[@SylvesterFrancia-z6b]

Ruecker Inlet

[@MarcosLangmaid-y3f]

Gaylord Rapid

[@MonkeeSpankz]

the sound recordist should of got room tone and removed it....

[@turkeeg7644]

the third one got me on the first notes.... respect.

[@toaststicks4676]

@jpegmafia this shit hard or nah