Composer Miya Masaoka has started playing the "Laser Koto," a futuristic version of the traditional Japanese stringed instrument, the Koto, that's been around since the 8th century. Masaoka outfitted ...

Taiko is the most popular Asian instrument in America. There are more than a hundred taiko groups across the country, classes for kids and adult beginners, festivals, newsletters, even online stores.

Concerts featuring Chinese and Japanese string instruments will be held this month and in December in Kyoto. A koto concert (www.kac.or.jp/events/8738/) will start at ...

Japan's "shamisen" industry is struggling to preserve the distinctive sound of the three-stringed instrument integral to Japanese performing arts, as it runs into issues of animal ethics and a ...

The Japanese three-stringed musical instrument shamisen has a glorious history. Originating from the Chinese instrument sanxian, shamisen was introduced in the sixteenth century in Japan. Shamisen can ...