The Obata International Koto School, based in San Diego, CA, was founded in 2014. We offer both in-person and online instruction through videos and webcam, as well as a certification program which allows students to obtain koto degrees.

The Obata International Koto School is extremely affordable and convenient, offering instruction in either Japanese or Western notation. Our programs are based on standard traditional and contemporary Japanese instrumental repertoire. Students take lessons at their own pace and at times that work for them.

It is my hope that the Obata International Koto School will aid in popularizing the koto so that its beautiful sound continues to be heard around the world!

Reiko Obata

 

A leading American koto performer in the traditional and jazz arenas, Reiko Obata studied under masters in the U.S. and Japan, including composer and koto virtuoso Shinichi Yuize. Reiko received her master's degree in music from San Diego State University and daishihan (grandmaster) degree from the Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music. She plays koto, bass koto, and shamisen.

Obata has been featured multiple times as a soloist with orchestras, including Orchestra Nova for KPBS-TV. She has performed koto for television, radio, film and live theater. Obata has been a featured performer at Harp and folk festivals. She is a former World Music and Music Appreciation college instructor.

Obata has recorded multiple CDs of her own compositions and arrangements, including "Serenity," "Sound of Kiri," and a self-titled jazz koto CD with her band East West. She produced the first English language koto instructional DVD "You Can Play Koto." Obata also arranged and published the first all-Western notation koto book series. She also authored and published “The Koto Gig Book” as well as the first English-language koto reference book “The Koto Player’s Reference Manual.”