was a Japanese koto

Koto (musical instrument)

The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...

player and composer. He was renowned all over Japan for his skill at the Koto and also received big acclaim from his compositions. He was married to Kazue Sawai

Kazue Sawai

is a Japanese koto player noted for her performance of contemporary classical music and free improvisation.She began studying, at the age of eight, with Michio Miyagi. She later graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music....

, a koto player, and had son Hikaru Sawai

Hikaru Sawai

is a Japanese koto player and composer. He is the son of the Kazue Sawai and late Tadao Sawai, both of whom are also renowned as koto players and composers....

, who is also a musician.

Born in Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...

, Sawai graduated from the prestigious Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music

Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music

or is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Kitasenju, Adachi, Tokyo...

 in 1958.

Sawai worked with a number of Western musicians, including Wadada Leo Smith

Wadada Leo Smith

Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith is a trumpeter and composer working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation.-Biography:...

 and also released a CD of himself playing Jazzy Bach on the Koto.

Discography

J.S. Bach Is Alive and Well and Doing His Thing on the Koto, Sawai (first koto), Kazue Sawai

Kazue Sawai

is a Japanese koto player noted for her performance of contemporary classical music and free improvisation.She began studying, at the age of eight, with Michio Miyagi. She later graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music....

 (second koto), Hozan Yamamoto

Hozan Yamamoto

Hōzan Yamamoto is a Japanese shakuhachi player, composer and lecturer....

 (shakuhachi

Shakuhachi

The is a Japanese end-blown flute. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and hardwoods. It was used by the monks of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism in the practice of...

), Sadanori Nakamure (guitar), Tatsoro Takimoto (bass), Takeshi Inomata (drums). RCA Red Seal, 1971, LSC-3227