is a Japanese ''

koto Koto may refer to: * Koto (band), an Italian synth pop group * Koto (instrument), a Japanese musical instrument * Koto (kana), a ligature of two Japanese katakana * Koto (traditional clothing), a traditional dress made by Afro-Surinamese women * K ...

'' player and composer. He is the son of the

Kazue Sawai is a Japanese '' koto'' player noted for her performance of contemporary classical music and free improvisation. She began studying, at the age of eight, with Michio Miyagi. She later graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and ...

and late

Tadao Sawai was a Japanese ''koto'' player and composer. He was renowned all over Japan for his skill at the koto and also received acclaim for his compositions. He was married to Kazue Sawai, also a koto player, and their son Hikaru Sawai is also a musician ...

, both of whom are also renowned as ''koto'' players and composers. In 1992, Sawai Hikaru won the 14th ''Ministry of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Grand Prix Award'' for an original work, "Shaei," for solo koto. His concerts in 1993 and 1994 were widely acclaimed; a New Year's concert performance of "Shaei" was broadcast by satellite to all parts of the world, kindling growing interest in the koto as a modern instrument. He is also a metal guitarist, so his koto works include metal techniques, rhythm and scale. In 1985 he formed the rock band "Mephisto Pheles", for which he composed and played guitar. The band had a strong following and a lasting influence, re-forming in 2001 for a 21-city Japanese tour promoting their new album “Metal on Metal” on the VAP label. Sawai Hikaru directs the influential ''Sawai Sokyoku-in'' (Sawai Koto Academy of Music) in Tokyo. The academy was founded in 1979 by his parents Sawai Tadao and Sawai Kazue. It is noted for its dynamic performances, innovative playing techniques, variety of sounds, and openness to new musical forms and combinations. Some of his concerts include: * 1995: at the City Theater in Paris; * 1999: an 11-city tour in Japan and abroad to celebrate Sawai Koto Academy’s 20th commemoration; * 2007: Sawai Hikaru and Sawai Kazue performed with their massed koto troupe “Sawai Koto Orchestra” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

References

* The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur has a detailed biography of Sawai Hikaru (and Sawai Kazue) up to and including 2007; see the link http://www.jfkl.org.my/events/events_body.php?id=151 1964 births Japanese composers Japanese male composers Japanese male musicians Living people Koto players {{Japan-musician-stub