Learn Wagakki with
Zakuro Show
*Private lessons areavailable for groups of 5 and more people.
Get to know Wagakki Instruments
© All videos by Shino Wako
"Introduction to the traditional Japanese musical instruments"
[Chapter 1] Koto
ZAKURO SHOW presents professional musicians talking about their musical instruments! Learn about Koto, an instrument played in Japan for ~1300 years. What is the difference between Ikuta School and Yamada School of playing Koto?
English subtitles available!
"Introduction to the traditional Japanese musical instruments"
[Chapter 2 ] Kotsuzumi
ZAKURO SHOW presents professional musicians talking about their musical instruments! Learn about Japanese drums, for instance, about a unique drum "Kotsuzumi" which exists only in Japan.
English subtitles available!
"Introduction to the traditional Japanese musical instruments"
[Chapter 3] Shakuhachi
ZAKURO SHOW presents professional musicians talking about their musical instruments! Learn about bamboo Japanese flute Shakuhachi, an instrument used for traditional music, spiritual rituals, meditation, and others. Where does the name Shakuhachi come from?
English subtitles available!
"Introduction to the traditional Japanese musical instruments"
[Chapter 4 ] 17-string Koto
ZAKURO SHOW presents professional musicians talking about their musical instruments! Learn about Jushichigen, a 17 string Koto. Only 100 years old, it's much bigger than a regular Koto. What kind of sound does it make?
English subtitles available!
ZAKURO SHOW musicians are from the Japanese Traditional Instruments Orchestra AIOI
Japanese Traditional Instrument Orchestra AIOI
Orchestra AIOI is formed by professionals who graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts.
Orchestra AIOI performs old traditional pieces along with original orchestrations, modern tunes and unexpected arrangements of the well-known songs. They give concerts all around Japan, explore different genres and make collaborations with various musicians. Special events include workshops and lessons of Koto, Shamisen , Biwa, Shakuhachi and other Japanese traditional instruments.
© Video by Shino Wako
Game of Thrones Theme Wagakki Cover
Zakuro Show x Aioi Ensemble Japanese traditional instruments (Wagakki) cover
Game of Thrones Soundtrack Main Theme
—Credits—
Performed by Aioi Ensemble
Koto / Shamisen: Kana Shinpuku
17-String koto: Manami Ishida
Shakuhachi: Seizan Matsuzaki & Junya Okochi
Percussion: Chizuru Fukuhara
Music arrangement: Yuma Bando
Filming & Recording Location: 和'on Music Studio, Himeji city, Japan
Film Director: Shino Wako
Zakuro Show x Aioi Ensemble Japanese traditional instruments (Wagakki) cover
A-Ha - Take On Me
—Credits—
Performed by Aioi Ensemble
Koto / Shamisen: Kana Shinpuku
17-String koto: Manami Ishida
Shakuhachi: Seizan Matsuzaki & Junya Okochi
Percussion: Chizuru Fukuhara
Music arrangement: Yuma Bando
Filming & Recording Location: 和'on Music Studio, Himeji city, Japan
Film Director: Shino Wako
Zakuro Show x Aioi Ensemble Japanese traditional instruments (Wagakki) cover
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
—Credits—
Performed by Aioi Ensemble
Koto / Shamisen: Kana Shinpuku
17-String koto: Manami Ishida
Shakuhachi: Seizan Matsuzaki & Junya Okochi
Percussion: Chizuru Fukuhara
Music arrangement: Yuma Bando
Filming &Recording Location: 和'on Music Studio, Himeji city, Japan
Film Director: Shino Wako
About Japanese Traditional Instruments
Japanese harp Koto
The Koto is about 1300 years old. In the Nara Period (8th century) it was introduced to Japan from China (Tang dynasty period).
The body is made of paulownia wood. It's the same wood we use for wardrobes and drawers in our homes. Primarily strings are made of silk, but lately, one can find a lot of strings made of synthetic fiber.
This Koto has 13 strings.
Japanese harp Jushichigen (Bass)
Jushichigen is a bass koto. Very famous Koto player and composer Miyagi Michio created this instrument about 100 years ago.
The name of the instrument translates "Seventeen strings."
Shamisen
About 800 years ago Shamisen came to Okinawa, which used to be called the Ryukyu Kingdome back in the day. After that it landed on the main Japanese island Honshu. from a smaller form called “Sanshin”.
Japanese flute Shakuhachi
Shakuhachi flute is made out of bamboo. one Shaku (11.93 inches [30.3cm]) and eight (Japanese: Hachi) Sun (1.2 inches [3cm]).
A player can change the pitch downward and upward by adjusting the blowing angle. the pitch.
When you produce a vibrato with wind instruments in general, you will create a vibration by adjusting the blowing strength (the amount of air). .
Another Shakuhachi technique is called "Muraiki" (uneven breath). Japanese music is known for the use of noise, and the oldest Japanese melodies are quite "noisy." So basically, we would use uneven/random breath to produce a turbulent powerful, breathy sound effect.
Kotsuzumi drum
Kotsuzumi is a unique Japanese drum. It's made out of cherry wood and has a shape of an hourglass.
An interesting fact: a freshly made Kotsuzumi doesn't make a correct sound. These instruments, like violins, get better with time.
Along with the traditional music concerts, this drum is used for Japanese traditional dance performances and Kabuki plays.
Sometimes during performances, the drummer has to use their voice - "Kakegoe."