The local organization Friends of Mukai will sponsor a free performance of the Japanese koto ensemble group, Seattle Miyagi Kai, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Camp Burton Lodge.
The program will include traditional and modern Japanese ensemble pieces played on Japanese instruments, such as the koto (a 6-foot-long, 13-stringed zither that sits flat in front of the musician); the sangen (a fretless three-stringed long-necked instrument) and the shakuhachi (a flute made of heavy bamboo, with five finger holes).
The director of the ensemble, Kuniko Takamura, is a renowned player who studied and taught in Japan for 10 years following World War II. She came to Seattle in 1957 and established Miyagi Kai in 1960. Ensemble member Marcia Takamura, Kuniko’s daughter, is a second generation koto master who has performed throughout the Northwest, including many performances with Aono Jikken Ensemble and One World Taiko.
The Takamuras will be joined by at least seven other players on Sunday. One of these players, islander Ann Irish, is also involved with Friends of Mukai and had the idea to bring the ensemble to Vashon.
Irish has been a member of the ensemble since 1991, which she joined after learning to play the koto during a year-long stay in Japan. At that time, Irish said she wanted to intensively study one aspect of Japanese culture, and chose the koto as her jumping off point. After returning to Vashon, Irish helped establish Vashon High School’s still-thriving Japanese learning program, which includes classes, field trips to Japan by VHS students and opportunities to host Japanese students here on Vashon.
Irish said she’s excited to bring the ensemble to Vashon.
“The music is lovely,” she said, adding that the concert will be a rare chance to hear the koto and other instruments played on Vashon. “I’ve been here 50 years and don’t remember anything like this.”
At Sunday’s concert, the ensemble will play compositions by Michio Miyagi, considered by many to be the greatest koto master of his generation and a leader in blending Western music into traditional Japanese music. Works by other composers will be featured as well.
The Friends of Mukai, concert organizers, celebrate Vashon’s Japanese-American and agricultural heritage with programs that highlight the contributions of the Mukai family and the Japanese-American community to 20th century agriculture, business and community life. Mukai Farm and Garden, now named to the National Register of Historic Places, offers a glimpse into the life of the Mukai family from 1926 to 1942. The site includes a home, fruit barreling plant, Japanese garden and paths and trails. For more information, visit mukaifarmandgarden.org.
Camp Burton Lodge, where the concert will take place on Sunday, is located at 9326 SW Bayview Dr.
