Koto instructor Shoko Hikage performed with taiko master Kenny Endo. Photo by J.K. Yamamoto.

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco Japantown, will offer a koto workshop for kids 6 to 12 years of age on Sunday, May 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The workshop will cover the general History of the koto; reigi (manners); proper set-up and cleaning of the koto; how to read notes; and how to play the koto.

The instructor will be Shoko Hikage, who has been playing since the age of 3. In 1985, she took special lessons from second iemoto Seiga Adachi and third iemoto Seuga Adachi of the Ikuta-ryu Sokyoku Seigen Kai. In 1988, she graduated from Takasaki College with a major in koto music.

She became a research student in Sawai Sokyokuin and received her master’s certificate under Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai. In 1992, she moved to Hawaii to teach koto at the Sawai Koto Kai Hawaii.

Hikage now resides in San Francisco and performs regularly, both solo and with other artists from around the world.

The workshop is open to JCCCNC members and the general public. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For more information and to reserve a space, call (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents@jcccnc.org.