“I want to convey the beauty of the koto to the rest of the world…” Starting with Hawaii in 1986, Kazue Sawai began scattering her “seeds” of koto around the globe, where they have successfully taken root, spread, and blossomed magnificently. In this second installment of “Strings of Hope,” Kazue-sensei is joined by 100 koto players from the United States, Europe, Australia, and various Asian countries, all performing Tadao Sawai’s “Hana Ikada” together.
As a student of Darin Miyashiro, sensei of the Sawai Koto Kai’s Hawaii branch, James Finamore participated in this online performance and shared that “It was a great opportunity to share a glimmer of hope with the world, during a tumultuous time for many who have been greatly affected by the Corona Virus Pandemic.”