Celebrated for his innovative approach, he’s combining traditional koto sounds with self-designed costumes to create a unique and captivating experience. KOTOMEN, the renowned koto player dedicated to breathing new life into the traditional instrument, is joining us at NärCon for an exclusive online Q&A session, and you’re invited!
About KOTOMEN Yoshiaki Okawa
KOTOMEN Yoshiaki Okawa, born in Fukushima, Japan in 1995, began playing the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument, at an early age. He has twice won the top prize at the prestigious Japanese Musical Instruments Competition and is a popular koto player whose social media videos have been viewed 100 million times. Notably, he was in charge of the koto tones for the anime “One Piece: Wa no Kuni Hen.”
Celebrated for his innovative approach, he’s combining traditional koto sounds with self-designed costumes to create a unique and captivating experience. He is dedicated to breathing new life into a 1,300-year-old Japanese music tradition.
His exceptional talent has earned him 1st place and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the highest national koto competition. His performances have been featured on prominent media platforms, including NHK E-Tele and TV Asahi.
In addition to his achievements in Japan, he is active in composing music and performing internationally, having showcased his talent in five countries around the world. With over 100 million views on social media, he is garnering widespread attention.
His dream is to have his works performed all over the world, expressing his own music and showcasing top-tier performance skills while excelling as a costume designer and a Youtuber.
So come and join SJPA and KOTOMEN for an exciting online Q&A session on July 26 at 11:30 CEST / 18:30 JST in our room S35!
Over the course of ~90 minutes, we’ll interact with him and it will feature a brief introduction, a self-introduction by KOTOMEN before we dive into an interactive Q&A session. During the Q&A, he will answer pre-collected questions, respond to live questions from attendees, and engage in an interactive discussion with the audience. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the renowned koto player and gain insights into his unique world of music. Mark your calendars and get ready!
Stay updated with KOTOMEN latest news and events by following him on his social media channels!