Learn 3 traditional Japanese instruments from a master in Tokyo

Born in Matsuyama in the southwestern Ehime prefecture, Kouzan wasn’t always interested in becoming a professional musician. He was studying IT at Hiroshima City University when one day he decided to accompany a friend to a shamisen club meeting on a whim. The decision ultimately changed his life, as he became so enamoured with the sound of the instrument that he decided to learn to play it himself.

Since then, Kouzan has racked up a number of accolades, including obtaining his shamisen master’s licence in 2008 and winning the Tsugaru Shamisen World Competition twice in a row in 2018 and 2019. He’s also mastered the koto and sanshin, which he teaches along with the shamisen. Kouzan has been teaching music for the past 20 years, and currently sees around 70-80 students monthly, both in person and online.

In-person classes take place in a residential part of Shinjuku, just a few minutes’ walk from Akebonobashi Station, in a quaint little flat adorned with Kouzan’s various instruments. During your one-hour lesson, you’ll get a crash course on the instrument of your choosing: the shamisen, the zither-like koto or the snakeskin-clad sanshin (which incidentally is the precursor to the shamisen).

Regardless of your choice, Kouzan will first teach you a bit about the history of the instrument and how it functions. ‘The thicker the neck, the louder the sound,’ he explains of the shamisen, strumming through the various types in his room.

After the brief intro, you’ll practise playing your instrument properly. Once you’ve more or less got the gist of things, Kouzan will guide you through a beginner-friendly tune, like the timeless folk song ‘Sakura’. If you already have some experience under your belt and want to improve your skills, Kouzan is able to accommodate you as well.

Though Kouzan is a masterful multi-instrumentalist, he admits he has somewhat of a preference for the koto, particularly for its use in contemporary music. His favourite piece is ‘Shaei’ – ‘Diagonal Shadows’ in English – by koto player and composer Hikaru Sawai. The song is about internal conflict and the ‘shadows’ within ourselves. ‘It’s like my mind,’ he says with a laugh.

Inner conflict aside, there’s one thing Kouzan is certain about: introducing more people to traditional Japanese music. He’s in the midst of applying for a government grant that will allow him to hold monthly concerts, through which he hopes to attract a wider audience.

Kouzan teaches on a near-daily basis every week. Whether you choose to try the shamisen, koto or sanshin, each one-hour class costs ¥10,300. Instruments are provided during the lesson and no prior experience is required, so all you need to bring is yourself and a willingness to learn. Click here to book your spot.