Koto

---

Hey people. Ever heard of a Koto? Probably not. It's a Japanese traditional musical instrument and I got to try one today! A while back my speaking partner (a local student who applied for a foreign student to test their english skills out on), who plays this instrument, invited me to attend a practice session. Unfortunately the day I could come ended up being the day she couldn't! I went anyway in order to break outta my english shell a bit, and had a blast. The atmosphere was quite strange. I was nervous of trying to speak broken Japanese to them and they were nervous of speaking english to me, but once the ice was broken I really had fun. The koto club members are all girls, but I think that's got to do with tradition. They play these huge harp-like things that are propped up on stands on the ground. Each person has a harp and each person plays a different part of the music simultaneously. Like in an orchestra or something. The result is awe inspiring and really beautiful. They played a very famous piece of music about cherry blossoms that sounded oddly familiar, and a piece from a movie soundtrack... which was obviously a Japanese one that I most definately haven't seen. They also let me try it out! I had to wear these little bone plucking things on three of my fingers. Those of you who have witnessed my lack of musicality can imagine the result. Needless to say I was pretty useless, but it was lots of fun.

I also taught them Zulu and Afrikaans greetings, which they thought were pretty cool and took photos of them playing (much to the dismay of one of the girls!).... I showed them photos from home... Including some delightful ones from the christmas party at my house and the Margate holiday (Rose, Suz, Jeannine, Lidia, they think you're all rather funny!). They particularly liked the swimmingpool- charlie's angels pose of Rose, Suz and Jeannine!

The local students here are pretty dedicated to their various clubs! The varsity is also pretty jacked up in this regard. They have a whole building just to house a practice room or an office for each of the many clubs. The small Koto club has its own tatami room full of equipment and intruments and today's practice ran from 10am to 2.30pm! Talk about dedication. Most of the sports clubs practice 7 days a week, even in the holidays and are legitimately seeking sporting excellance. They are not merely disguised drinking clubs (a la Maritzburg)!

---

Photos

Koto and Kim
These are some Koto. When not in use they are propped up against the wall.

Koto Action
Not sure how much detail you can see, but note that they are wooden and harp-like. I really liked this angle.

Comments

[nozo]

thanks for coming koto
i'm pleased to see this blog which says you really enjoy koto!! but a little sad coz i cannot be there. next time you must see my playing at a stage! actually, koto was played by men rather than women in the past, but though i don't know why, today more japanese women than men are playing koto. instead, men play shakuhachi which looks like a guitar.

[Lidia]

Lalalala...!!!
What an adventure!Those koto's look huge when standing leaning against a wall!You really make me giggle at every blog, I turn on the computer and hope there's something interesting to read on your blogs and.... there always is! So keep it up sweeti!Ah... yes, the memories of our Xmas dinner...Hehe!Chat soon...Lidia :) OH! PS... Just thought you should know...I survived registration even with the striking! Yeah baby!! (From 08h00 to 16h00!What a mission!) hehe!! :)

[puz]

cheers!
hey kim kim. those instruments look really cool, i haven't come across one of those in my studies yet, but i hope to some day! i can't believe you showed them the photo's! i blame it on temporary insanity and too much apple sourz gone the wrong way! anywayz, hope you're having a blast. i too managed to get through registration 7 hours later... rock on chick. Suz