Concerts Played with Traditional Instruments in Kyoto

This was one of the most beautiful experiences of our trip to Japan. My partner and I attended Kyoko-san's koto and shamisen performance, and we were deeply moved by it. Her talent is extraordinary, and the music filled us with a sense of harmony, wonder, and joy that we had not experienced in a long time. We would also like to thank the wonderful lady who introduced the instruments and each piece with enthusiasm and personal insights. Her explanations added a special touch to the evening. It was a beautiful and memorable evening that made us feel connected to a very special part of Japanese culture. We left feeling grateful, inspired, and very fortunate to have been there. Highly recommended.

We booked this experience for the three members of our travel party during our recent trip to Japan. Both the Townhouse and Bathhouse venues seemed like fantastic experiences, but we decided to go with the more intimate Townhouse setting as it offered the Koto workshop add on. The venue was intimate as promised, with only five of us in attendance. The entire Gen team did a fantastic job giving us the history of the Koto and Shamisen, and explaining the mechanics and musical techniques used when playing the instruments. Any music lover or performer in your group will really appreciate the mini ethnomusicology lesson. The concert itself consisted of five pieces with two pieces being traditional and three being more modern works. The two traditional pieces might be a bit jarring to any listener who is not familiar with Japanese traditional music as the playing and vocal styles are very different from what Western listeners are accustomed to, but don’t let this deter you. Be open minded about the music, and I do not doubt you will hear the beauty despite the dissimilarity of the style to what you may be used to hearing. Even if the traditional pieces do not resonate with you, the modern pieces will be very accessible to any listener. It was a beautiful concert, and my entire party really enjoyed it. We also participated in the Koto workshop after the concert, and we had a blast. None of us will be becoming masters of the Koto any time soon, but it was awesome to have a hands-on experience. It really gave us an appreciation for how skilled the performer was. I highly recommend this concert and workshop experience to anyone who has an interest in both experiencing and learning about traditional Japanese music. There is also a question and answer session after the concert, so I would recommend coming with questions in mind. Do remember that not all western musical terms translate well into Japanese, so keep that in mind when you are brainstorming questions.

One of the best experiences we had while in Kyoto and 1 of the few that I would want to do again on a future visit. The small place provides an intimate setting allowing for a deeper connection to the music and artist. I found that after an hour I was wanting more and could easily have enjoyed a longer show.

This concert was an incredible, cozy experience! It took place in the comfort of a small home, where everyone could see and hear clearly, and featured an incredibly talented musician who played multiple different pieces on two different instruments, the Koto and the Shamisen. Some of the songs were contemporary and some were traditional and some included singing so you got to listen to a wide variety of paces and tones which keeps you captivated the entire performance. They even took pictures and sent them out after the trip!

A beautiful musical experience, in private concert, accompanied by an interesting presentation on traditional Japanese instruments and music. I highly recommend going to a concert at Gen Home Saiin to deepen your knowledge of Japan and live a unique musical moment.

The host let us into the private home just in time for the concert. We took our seats in the living room. Every seat was taken (the concert was fully booked; there were 11 of us). After an explanation of the programme and the instruments, the musician joined us and played various pieces for us on both the koto and the shamisen. We were treated to two traditional pieces (with singing), two modern pieces and a cheerful children’s song. The evening ended with a Q&A session with the musician and a group photo as a memento. The two of them were always friendly and ensured we had a lovely evening. The length of the concert was just right for getting a taste of it – not too long and not too short. Personally, I found the modern pieces more appealing, as the melody was a bit more accessible. The only drawback was the number of guests and the seating arrangements. From the back row on the bench, you don’t have a good view of the performers, as the row in front has higher seats. The chairs would need to be changed or adjusted so that everyone has a good view.

We had a wonderful evening being introduced to the classical Japanese instruments. The performance was mesmerising and very skilled. The intimate setting made the experience even more special.

Very nice!!! Loved the vibes tonight

What a intimate experience that brought me to tears. Such beautiful artistry and talent. Learned so much about the traditional Japanese instruments used. We were hosted in someone's home it was comfortable and welcoming. Was brought to tears by the emotions stirred by listening to the musical chords and heavenly voice. ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!

Audrey greeted us and explained the programme and the construction of the koto and shamisen. Then Kyouko-san played both instruments and sang for us, bringing the music and sounds of Japan vividly to life for us. A combination of classic pieces and more contemporary pieces. It was wonderful listening to the range of styles and what the instruments are capable of doing. We had a deep discussion about the origins of the instruments and the gender mismatch. It was an incredible experience having a talk with such and accomplished musician as Kyouko-san. It only got better after that! We were set up with our own koto and were taught to play. Given, it was only Twinkle, Twinkle. But we got the chance to add ornamentation that is part of koto technique under Kyouko-san’s tutelage. (Both of us have familiarity with musical instruments and musical theory.) In total, although the venue is a little difficult to find, it is one way to peer beyond the superficial tourist activities.