Essence: Koto, Taiko, and Shakuhachi

A unique combination of taiko and shakuhachi instruments was performed between Kenny Endo and Masayuki Koga at the Zellaback Hall in Berkeley, California in 1995. The collaboration project of two players of Masayui and Kenny, was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1998. In the same year Michiyo, koto player, joined and they named the group "Essence."

One of the members of the Essence, a shakuhachi master, Masayuki Koga studied the flute extensively in his native Japan, working with master teachers including Master Kazan Sakai of the Tozan School and the Kinko Master, his father, Kiichi Koga. From 1967 through 1970, Masayuki was the youngest member of the esteemed Ensemble Nipponia, a 20 member orchestra established to promote the works of contemporary composers such as Minoru Miki and Katsutoshi Nagasawa. In 1972, he was invited to perform in the United States, where he found genuine interest in the shakuhachi and Japanese music. He moved to the U.S. the following year, living and teaching in San Francisco.

In 1981, Masayuki founded the Japanese Music Institute of America (JMI) to introduce the highesty quality of Japanese classical music to the U.S. Since then, JMI has fostered the appreciation and study of traditional Japanese music and modern world music. The shakuhachi is primarily a solo instrument with incredible microtonal possibilities, but is also an ensemble instrument, often played together with other instruments.

Since 1987, Michiyo Koga, a master koto player, has been artistic director of JMI. Michiyo has been playing koto since childhood and first performed in Tokyo at the age of 3. She has also received formal instructions in piano since she was 5, as well as voice since the age of 15. She received her Ikuta Koto Teacher's License in 1970, and graduated from NHK Japanese Ensemble Course in 1977. In 1978, she received her Master's Degree in Music from Senzoku Gakuen University of Music in Tokyo. One of her career highlights was accompanying Isaac Stern while he was recording in Japan. Michiyo is principal koto instructor for JMI.

Synthesizing traditional Japanese drumming, world rhythms and improvisation, international taiko artist Kenny Endo is a leading force in contemporary taiko performance in the U.S. and Japan. He holds the distinction of being the first non-Japanese national to receive a Stage Name (Mochizuki Tajiro) and Master's License in classical Japanese drumming. He has travelled to Russia, Egypt, Canada, Europe and throughout Japan and the U.S. performing his original compositions.

Hiroyuki Jimi Nakagawa joined in the group in 2002. He spent seven years studying jazz and performing with local bands before joining the San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1987. He also has studied with the celebrated jazz drummer Robert Kaufman, former Professor at the Berklee College of Music. Hiroyuki's refined but driving stick work has been featured in film, video, and on stage. He is currently performing with and is an original member of Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble.