Yukiko Matsuyama was born in Osaka, Japan where she was classically trained at the Ikuta School of Koto from age 9. She received her professional certification and teaching credential from the Ikuta School of Koto in 1986.
In 1993 Matsuyama came to Los Angeles and began composing original music, blending the traditional sound of the koto with contemporary music. The results are a unique combination of jazz, new age, pop, and world music.
Yukiko has performed at the Japan America Theatre, John Anson Ford Theatre and many music festivals, cultural and community events, universities and schools.
The koto, a 13-string zyther or harp like instrument, originated in China and came to Japan in the 7th-8th century. Today, it is the national instrument of Japan.
The six foot long hollow body is traditionally made from Paulownia wood (kiri). Underneath the body are two sound holes, one at each end. The 13 strings are tied over stationary bridges at each end of the body. The strings are generally all the same size and same tension.
A movable bridge, called a ji, is placed somewhere along the length of each string. The ji lift the strings off of the body so that they will resonate when plucked. The strings are tuned by sliding the movable bridges back and forth.
The koto player sits, or in Yukiko’s case stands, at the top end of the instrument and plucks the strings in the area just to the left of the top bridge. The strings are plucked with three picks, called plectrums, which are attached to the thumb and first two fingers.
The left hand is used to bend the strings in the area to the left of the ji. Pressing the strings toward the koto body causes them to go sharp (as much as 1 note), and pulling them towards the ji causes them to go slightly flat. The left hand is also used to create vibrato.
Ms. Matsuyama is available for performances, recording, &
[email protected]
