Koto- Japanese Harp
Japanese girls playing Koto
23rd Annual Japan Day- April 3, 2010 Collocated Club, Misawa Air BaseI had a great time last Saturday on Japan Day, it's truly indeed another great experience to see and watch Japanese culture. There were lots of booths which displayed different arts, music and crafts such as the exhibitions of Noh Mask, bonsai, embroidery, Japanese paper dolls, ikebana (flower arrangements), kimono wearing, pressed flower arts, making of paper planes, sand art, lantern painting, kite painting, calligraphy and more!
One of the booths that struck my attention was the Koto Music which was on the lobby along with the bonsai display. Though I missed their performance I stayed in front of them and watched them teaching American kids on how to use the instrument. I was gonna ask them to teach me but I didn't bother I have to go around other booths to see more of their cultures ;-) and to take more pictures hehehe.
Koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument from China. It is the national instrument of Japan and it's about 180cm or 71 inches long and made from Kiri wood. It has 13 strings and can be plucked by using 3 finger picks (thumb, indez finger and middle finger).
I will post more of my pictures soon.
