Koto at YIS

Written by Curt Patterson, Japanese Music Teacher,

Photo Credit: Cory Lum,

For over twenty years, the Japanese Music Program at Yokohama International School (YIS) has provided students with unique opportunities to develop and showcase their musical talents. Whether through regular school concerts, special community events, or international tours, these experiences have helped students realize their potential and grow as musicians. A key milestone for many YIS students is their participation in the All Japan Elementary and Middle School Koto Competition, held annually in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture. This competition, which brings together young koto players from across the country, has been an integral part of their musical journey.

This year, YIS continued its long-standing tradition of competing in the event, with students participating in both ensemble and solo categories. For the first time in the program's history, a group of middle school students achieved a significant milestone by winning the bronze prize in the ensemble division. Competing against 13 other middle school ensembles, their performance stood out for its driving rhythms and emotional depth, earning them third place. The students were thrilled by the recognition and immediately began discussing ideas for next year’s repertoire, showing their dedication to continued improvement.

In addition to the success of the middle school ensemble, this year's competition was marked by a strong sense of community. A large group of family members, including mothers, fathers, and siblings, traveled to Fukuyama to support the students. Also notable was the involvement of YIS graduates from the Japanese Music Program, who returned to encourage and mentor younger participants. These alumni, many of whom have continued their passion for the koto, played an inspiring role in fostering excitement and enthusiasm among the current students.

One particularly exciting aspect this year was the participation of YIS elementary students in the ensemble division. This was driven in part by the introduction of an after-school koto activity for elementary students, which was established last year. Their performance demonstrated the program's growth and the increasing interest in koto music among younger students. One of the elementary participants, Kei Fujita, reflected on his preparation, saying, “I practiced a lot with Mr. Patterson, and I practiced doing proper bowing (ojigi). I also imagined the competition.” Kei, who performed both a solo and as part of the ensemble, noted, “My solo was so-so, but my ensemble was good.”

Another elementary student, Kouki Liou, spoke about his preparation for the competition and the lessons he learned. “I thought about practicing because I wanted to be as perfect as possible so I don’t make any mistakes on the real stage. I was really scared that a mistake would embarrass myself and cause trouble for the team,” Kouki shared. He also highlighted the challenges of maintaining the beat and coordinating with other players: “Playing with Koto 1 was challenging because both Koto 1 and 2 sometimes speed up, causing us to lose pace.” Despite the nerves, Kouki was thrilled with the outcome, saying, “Although we played slowly, my team didn’t make any mistakes, and we ended up winning the bronze award!”

The All Japan Elementary and Middle School Koto Competition provided valuable lessons for the students. Kouki noted that he learned the importance of practicing at 120% so that he could perform at his best under pressure. Meanwhile, Kei reflected on the surprises of performing in front of such a large audience: “The sound of the clap was really loud. That surprised me.” Both students expressed a desire to improve for next year, with Kouki aspiring to perform a solo and Kei planning to play with more dynamics and ensure his picks are better prepared.

In addition to the musical accomplishments, the students also bonded as a group, with both Kouki and Kei pointing to the group dinner as one of the highlights of the trip. Kouki said, “Eating dinner and laughing was definitely the best thing I did on this trip! After the Fukuyama Koto Contest, I noticed that my friendships with other koto players strengthened because we fought together as a team of YIS.” Kei echoed the sentiment, saying, “For me, the most fun thing was the group dinner on Friday. I sat with other boys, and it was fun to talk.”

The 42nd All Japan Elementary and Middle School Koto Competition in Fukuyama was a memorable and rewarding experience for the YIS students. Their performances, both individually and as ensembles, were a testament to their hard work and dedication. The event continues to be an important part of the YIS Japanese Music Program, fostering growth, community, and a deepening love for the koto.

 

Interview With Kouki & Kei

 

What are some things you thought about as you prepared for the contest?

"I thought about having to practice because I wanted to be as perfect as possible so I don’t make any mistakes at the real stage and if I do I was really scared that that mistake will be clear and I will embarrass myself and make some trouble for the team!" - Kouki

 

What was the most challenging thing for you?

"The most challenging thing for me was that my pick fell off and flew while I was playing solo piece.  I kept myself calm and tried my best." - Kei

 

What surprised you at the contest? 

"While I was waiting to play, I noticed there weren’t many people in the audience. However, after I finished and looked up to bow, I was surprised to see so many pairs of eyes that were on me!" - Kouki

"The sounds of the clap was really loud. That surprised me." - Kei

 

What was something you learned when you were in Fukuyama? 

"I learned that you need to practice at about 120% so you can perform at your 100%. I think this because when I perform I feel nervous and I am playing at a large stage." - Kouki

"I don't usually get this nervous, so being able to perform under such pressure was a great learning experience" - Kei

 

What was the most fun about the trip for you?

I think that I really enjoyed spending time with other koto players. Eating dinner and laughing was definitely the best thing that we did on this trip! Over all, after the Fukuyama Koto Contest I noticed that my friendship between other koto players strengthened because we fought together as a team of YIS, with the same goal of presenting their piece as their best. All thanks to our teacher Mr.Patterson!