Enjoy a free koto performance by Curtis Patterson and Mitsuki Dazai at 1:15pm at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.

Artist Bios

Curtis Patterson

A native of Chicago Illinois, Curtis Patterson studied with modern koto great Tadao Sawai. He holds a master’s license from the Sawai Koto Institute and is the first non-Japanese national to graduate from the NHK training program for young performers of traditional Japanese instruments. Currently residing in Tokyo where he also teaches koto and shamisen, Patterson has performed with a wide variety of artists including screen actress Matsuzaka Keiko and popular singer/songwriter Kei Ogura.

A member of the Sawai Tadao Koto Ensemble, Soemon and the US based Koto Phase, Patterson released a solo CD “Oto No Wa” in 2002 and was musical director for the 2005 documentary film “Magnificent Obsession: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buildings and legacy in Japan.” Aside from his teaching activities, and performances with various koto groups and other musicians, Curtis is most active performing with shakuhachi player Bruce Huebner.

Mitsuki Dazai

Mitsuki Dazai is a graduate of Tokyo’s Kunitachi College of Music, studied koto with virtuoso Kazue Sawai, and received her koto instruction certificate at Sawai Koto Institute. She moved to Oregon in 2002, served as a guest lecturer, and toured throughout the US, Europe, South America, and Japan.

In 2010, Dazai was featured on Oregon Art Beat and released two CDs — Autumn, Music for Solo Koto (2007) and Far Away…Romances for Koto (2010) with Grammy-nominated composer Michael Hoppe. She also appears on Shanti Samsara: World Music for Environmental Consciousness, produced by Grammy-winning Ricky Kej. In 2016, she performed at the 21C Music Festival in Toronto.

About the Koto

The standard Koto is a thirteen-string plucked zither. It was introduced to Japan from China through the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century. The instrument has been part of the Gagaku court ensemble for over one thousand years, gradually becoming popular among the merchant classes of the Edo period (1600-1868). An important member of the traditional Sankyoku ensemble, along with the three-string Shamisen and Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), the Koto developed further in a solo capacity, eventually gaining its place as one of Japan’s most prominent musical instruments. Today a varied repertoire along with a wide range of playing techniques provides a wonderful palette of sound textures, making the Koto appealing to audiences the world over. Learn more about the Koto.