BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//6.6.3//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:4590@japanesegarden.org DTSTART:20250216T211500Z DTEND:20250216T221500Z DTSTAMP:20241206T174057Z URL:https://japanesegarden.org/events/cultural-performance-koto-by-mitsuki-dazai-4/ SUMMARY:Cultural Performance: Koto by Mitsuki Dazai DESCRIPTION:\nA close-up shot capturing Mitsuki Dazai in the midst of a captivating Koto performance. Photo by Jonathan Ley.\n\n\n\nEnjoy a free koto performance by Mitsuki Dazai \;at 1:15pm at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.\n\n\n\nArtist Bio: Mitsuki Dazai\n\n\n\nMitsuki Dazai is a graduate of Tokyo’s prestigious Kunitachi College of Music\, studied koto with the world-renowned virtuoso Kazue Sawai\, and received her certificate in koto instruction at Sawai Koto Institute. Dazai moved to Oregon in 2002\, serving as a guest lecturer at universities in Oregon\, as an artistic director of new koto ensemble group\, Oregon Koto-Kai (Japanese Koto Society of Oregon)\, and touring throughout the US\, Europe\, South America and Japan.\n\n\n\nMitsuki Dazai performing in the Pavilion during the Garden’s annual Moonviewing Festival. Photo by Jonathan Ley.\n\n\n\nIn 2010\, Dazai was featured on Oregon Art Beat and released two CDs —Autumn\, Music for Solo Koto \;(2007)\, and \;Far Away…Romances for Koto \;(2010) in collaboration with Grammy nominated composer Michael Hoppe. Her artistry is also featured on the album \;Shanti Samsara: World Music for Environmental Consciousness\, produced by Grammy-winning Composer\, Ricky Kej. In 2016\, she was invited to 21C Music Festival in Toronto\, Canada\, and played with Continuum Contemporary Music.\n\n\n\nABOUT THE KOTO\n\n\n\nThe standard Koto is a thirteen-string plucked zither. It was introduced to Japan from China through the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century. The instrument has been part of the Gagaku \;court ensemble for over one thousand years\, gradually becoming popular among the merchant classes of the Edo period (1600-1868). An important member of the traditional \;Sankyoku \;ensemble\, along with the three-string \;Shamisen \;and \;Shakuhachi \;(bamboo flute)\, the Koto developed further in a solo capacity\, eventually gaining its place as one of Japan’s most prominent musical instruments. Today a varied repertoire along with a wide range of playing techniques provides a wonderful palette of sound textures\, making the Koto appealing to audiences the world over.\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wpmedia.japanesegarden.org/w:1600/h:1067/q:mauto/process:5925/id:3a7a2f685900f8b67714bef1cd41de8d/http://live-japanesegarden.pantheonsite.io/Twilight-Hours-071317-image-015.jpg CATEGORIES:Demonstrations & Performances LOCATION:Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center\, 611 SW Kingston Ave.\, Portland\, Oregon\, 97212\, United States GEO:45.51862;-122.708431 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=611 SW Kingston Ave.\, Portland\, Oregon\, 97212\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center:geo:45.51862;-122.708431 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR