Join Preservation Partners for a special concert in the Fabyan Japanese Garden!
This June, we’ll be featuring musicians from the Chicago Koto Group. The group, which serves the greater Chicagoland area by introducing it to Japanese culture through music, traditional dress, and customs, will perform two 30-minute sets of music within the tranquil confines of the Fabyan Japanese Garden.
Tickets:
$15 per person
$10 per person for PPFV members
Lemonade, iced tea, and light snacks will be provided.
Important note to PPFV members:
Though occurring near the summer solstice, this event will differ significantly from our annual Summer Solstice event for members. On September 20, 2025, we will host a free Harvest Fest member event in lieu of the Summer Solstice event.
More information to come!
About the Chicago Koto Group
Group History
The Chicago Koto Group was founded in 1985 by Akiko Sugano a leader in the Chicago Japanese community and a koto player. The group serves the greater Chicago community by introducing it to Japanese culture and music. The group holds several public performances a year responding to requests from various organizations such as the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Consulate General of Japan, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the Morton Arboretum. The group also serves to educate students at elementary schools and colleges about Japanese culture through their music, their traditional dress, and their customs.
The Instruments
The Koto (a zither-like instrument) is a traditional Japanese instrument used today mostly in chamber music. It was introduced into Japan from China around the 8th century as part of the Imperial Court ensemble but quickly moved into the more popular culture. By the 17th century it was widespread within the culture and is enjoyed today in a chamber music setting particularly with voice, Shamisen (a three stringed Japanese banjo-like instrument), and Shakuhachi (a bamboo flute).
The Koto is made of Paulownia wood (a very strong but lightweight and attractive material). The standard version is about six feet long and about ten inches wide and has 13 strings of equal size and tension. There are bridges placed under each string. These are movable giving the Koto the ability to be tuned in various modes. The strings are plucked with plectra worn on the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the right hand, the left hand is used to control the strings.
The Shakuhachi is an end blown bamboo flute that was also first introduced to Japan with Court music from China (around the same time as the Koto). It was much less popular than the Koto and didn’t, at that time, share the Koto’s widespread reach. Later it was reintroduced into Japanese culture when Zen Buddhism came down from China. Up until the 19th century it remained a meditation tool of the Zen monks. At that time it was incorporated into the traditional Japanese chamber ensemble and also became a popular folk instrument.