YONEKAWA Toshiko, living national treasure.
By TOKUMARU Yosihiko
Born 1913 in Himeji city, Hyogo prefecture, as the eldest daughter of Yonekawa Kinō (1883-1969). She received lessons of koto and sangen from her father. He was the first Ikuta school koto and sangen player who started artistic activity in Tokyo in Taishō period (1912-1926). He himself was an excellent musician and performed traditional repertoire with a striking accuracy in pitches and rhythms. He was also creative in composition, inventor of the low-registered 13-stringed koto and inventor of new notations for koto and sangen.
Educated by such a creative father, Yonekawa Toshiko showed her progress even while she was a primary school pupil. It was very natural that she performed in a public concert when she was only 8 years old. She was only 12 years old when her performance was broadcast by nation wide radio. In addition to her performing activity, she began to compose. With her initial work Kokemizu ('Water running through moss') (No 1) she showed her talent as composer. Soon after that in 1942 she became recipient of the Education Minister's Award by her work Ohaguruma ('Sacred Palanquin') (No. 10). When she published her epoch-making composition, Chidori to asobu Chieko ('Chieko playing with plovers') (No. 33), in 1953, she was given the Art Festival Prize as Encouragement by the Ministry of Education.
As koto and sangen player, she extracted musical charms from new works written by her contemporaries. The extreme accuracy of intonation and rhythm as well as the unequaled beauty of sonority are well-known as her characteristics. In 1978 she succeeded to the position of iemoto (head of artistic clan) of the Kenso-kai. For these multifaceted activities numerous awards including the Medal with a Purple Ribbon, the Matsuo geino award, the Fourth Class Order, and the Mobil Music Prize were successively offered to her.
Since 1994 as third Iemoto of the Japan Kenso-kai. Designated Living National Treasure in 1996. Since 1997 honorary citizen of the Shinjuku ward in Tokyo, she has been leading her colleagues and students and directing the musical activity of the koto and sangen performers. Her two daughters, Yonekawa Megumi and Yonekawa Hiroe, are very active in the same field as Yonekawa Toshiko and are already highly evaluated for the solidness of musical basis and flexibility in musicality transmitted from their mother.
(Professor of musicology, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo)
1939 Granted shihan (master's license) by Chikatoshi Yonekawa I
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Teachers
Students
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| Pieces | Kanji | Length | Album | Instrument |
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Aki ni Yosu |
秋に寄す |
06'14 |
Kinko Ryu Shakuhachi - Koten Honkyoku - Kindai Shakuhachi Gaku |
Koto |
|
Aki no Kyoku |
秋の曲 |
19'15 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Koto |
|
Aki no Kyoku |
秋の曲 |
19'15 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Koto |
|
Azuma Jishi |
吾妻獅子 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 8 |
Koto |
|
Cavalleria Rusticana |
|
02'49 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
03'36 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
13'43 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Koto |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
13'20 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Koto |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
|
The Shakuhachi and Its History |
Koto |
|
Chidori to Asobu Tieko |
千鳥と遊ぶ智恵子 |
16'01 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Koto |
|
Dance of the Hours - La Gioconda |
|
05'08 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Dance Rituelle Du Feu |
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04'10 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Defune |
出船 |
03'11 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Elegie |
|
03'34 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Etude Op. 10 No. 3 |
|
04'02 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
20'23 |
Fascination of the Koto 5 |
Koto |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
21'28 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Koto |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
21'40 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 39 |
Koto |
|
Genroku Hanami Odori |
元禄花見踊 |
03'16 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Godan Ginuta |
五段砧 |
13'18 |
Rokudan Koto no Meikyoku |
Koto |
|
Godan Ginuta |
五段砧 |
17'16 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Koto |
|
Gunkan March |
|
02'31 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Habu no Minato |
波浮の港 |
02'31 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Hachidan no Shirabe |
八段の調 |
07'46 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Koto |
|
Hagi no Tsuyu |
萩の露 |
21'21 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 38 |
Koto |
|
Hamabe no Uta |
浜辺の歌 |
03'00 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Hana |
花 |
08'23 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Koto |
|
Hana |
花 |
04'25 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Hana |
花 |
02'38 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Hanayome Ningyo |
花嫁人形 |
02'34 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Haru no Kotobuki |
春の寿 |
17'18 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Koto |
|
Haru no Kyoku |
春の曲 |
20'08 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Koto |
|
Hien no Kyoku |
飛燕の曲 |
16'06 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 05 |
Koto |
|
In A Persian Market |
|
07'13 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
19'20 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Koto |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
18'57 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Koto |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
20'16 |
Rokudan Koto no Meikyoku |
Koto |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
20'08 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 42 |
Koto |
|
Kiyari Kuzushi |
木遣りくずし |
01'52 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Kōjō no Tsuki |
荒城の月 |
04'41 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Kokemizu |
苔水 |
06'06 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Koto |
|
Konkai |
吼かい |
17'16 |
Fujii Kunie, The World of Shamisen and Jiuta Singing 4 |
Koto |
|
Kuroda Bushi |
黒田節 |
03'43 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji |
京鹿子娘道成寺 |
03'34 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Liebestraume |
|
03'32 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Mama no Kawa |
ままの川 |
11'46 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Koto |
|
Meisho Miyage |
名所土産 |
18'17 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 24 |
Koto |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
07'19 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Koto |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
04'24 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
10'04 |
New Hogagku Shakuhachi |
Koto |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
07'26 |
Selections from Koto, Shamisen and Shakuhachi |
Koto |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
09'23 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Koto |
|
Miyama Jishi |
御山獅子 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 9 |
Koto |
|
Nagare |
流 |
05'18 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Koto |
|
Nagare |
流 |
05'24 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
15'10 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Koto |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
16'17 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Koto |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 7 |
Koto |
|
Niju Hachidan |
二重八段 |
08'58 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 08 |
Koto |
|
O Edo Nihon Bashi |
お江戸日本橋 |
04'02 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
O Edo Nihon Bashi |
お江戸日本橋 |
02'46 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Pavane Pour une Infante Defunte |
亡き王女のためのパヴァーヌ |
04'08 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Polovetzer Tanze - Prince Igor |
|
02'56 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
06'22 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Koto |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
04'10 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
07'12 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Koto |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
06'13 |
Selections from Koto, Shamisen and Shakuhachi |
Koto |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
06'24 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Koto |
|
Sabre Dance |
|
02'56 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Saga no Aki |
嵯峨の秋 |
13'24 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Koto |
|
Sakura Sakura |
さくらさくら |
04'45 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Samushiro |
狭筵 |
18'58 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 26 |
Koto |
|
Shintakasago |
新高砂 |
07'00 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Koto |
|
Thais Meditation |
|
04'25 |
Danse Rituelle du Fue, Liebestraume |
Koto |
|
Tooryanse |
通りゃんせ |
02'37 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Tooryanse |
通りゃんせ |
03'44 |
Music of Japan |
Koto |
|
Uji Meguri |
宇治巡り |
20'35 |
Fascination of the Koto 5 |
Koto |
|
Uji Meguri |
宇治巡り |
22'27 |
Fascination of the Shakuhachi - 4 |
Koto |
|
Uji Meguri |
宇治巡り |
21'54 |
Fujii Kunie, The World of Shamisen and Jiuta Singing 4 |
Koto |
|
Umisuzume |
海雀 |
05'00 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Wakana |
若葉 |
20'50 |
Fascination of the Shakuhachi - 4 |
Koto |
|
Yaegoromo |
八重衣 |
28'50 |
Fascination of the Koto 5 |
Koto |
|
Yaegoromo |
八重衣 |
28'52 |
Sankyoku |
Koto |
|
Yaegoromo |
八重衣 |
30'28 |
Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 23 (三曲合奏大全集23) |
Koto |
|
Yotsu no Tami |
四つの民 |
19'10 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 27 |
Koto |
|
Yuku Haru |
逝く春 |
12'02 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Koto |
|
Yuku Haru |
逝く春 |
04'01 |
Koto no Kyoshu Nihon no Merodi-shu |
Koto |
|
Zangetsu |
残月 |
22'42 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Koto |
|
Zangetsu |
残月 |
22'38 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Koto |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
03'40 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Defune |
出船 |
03'03 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Fune no Yume |
舟の夢 |
18'03 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 32 |
Shamisen |
|
Gion Kouta |
祗園小唄 |
03'11 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Hagi no Tsuyu |
萩の露 |
18'41 |
Yamaguchi Goro - Performance study 3 |
Shamisen |
|
Hanayome Ningyo |
花嫁人形 |
02'24 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Itsuki no Komoriuta |
五木の子守唄 |
02'22 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Junidan Sugagaki |
十二段すががき |
09'24 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 07 |
Shamisen |
|
Kajimakura |
楫枕 |
15'42 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 33 |
Shamisen |
|
Keshi no Hana |
けしの花 |
14'01 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Shamisen |
|
Keshi no Hana |
けしの花 |
15'08 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 35 |
Shamisen |
|
Kinuta |
砧 |
12'42 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Shamisen |
|
Kinuta |
砧 |
12'24 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 09 |
Shamisen |
|
Kōjō no Tsuki |
荒城の月 |
04'01 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Kuroda Bushi |
黒田節 |
03'15 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Kurokami |
黒髪 |
07'35 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Kushimoto Bushi |
串本節 |
03'25 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Matsu no Kotobuki |
松の寿 |
12'54 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Shamisen |
|
Matsu no Kotobuki |
松の寿 |
12'41 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 25 |
Shamisen |
|
Midare Rinzetsu |
乱輪舌 |
09'29 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Shamisen |
|
Nanakomachi |
七小町 |
22'55 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Shamisen |
|
No Asobi |
野遊び |
13'40 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 13 |
Shamisen |
|
O Edo Nihon Bashi |
お江戸日本橋 |
03'15 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Rokudan no Shirabe |
六段の調 |
03'55 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Sakura Gawa |
桜川 |
15'15 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 35 |
Shamisen |
|
Sakura Sakura |
さくらさくら |
03'58 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Shakkyō |
石橋 |
23'09 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 12 |
Shamisen |
|
Shin Musume Dōjōji |
新娘道成寺 |
17'02 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Shamisen |
|
Shin Musume Dōjōji |
新娘道成寺 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 6 |
Shamisen |
|
Shin Musume Dōjōji |
新娘道成寺 |
14'38 |
Yamaguchi Goro - Performance study 1 |
Shamisen |
|
Shin Ukifune |
新浮舟 |
18'43 |
Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 14 (三曲合奏大全集14) |
Shamisen |
|
Shinya no Tsuki |
深夜の月 |
13'05 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 27 |
Shamisen |
|
Sōran Bushi |
ソラン節 |
02'13 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Sue no Chigiri |
末の契 |
14'31 |
Yamaguchi Goro - Performance study 1 |
Shamisen |
|
Sue no Chigiri |
末の契 |
16'13 |
Yamaguchi Goro - Performance study 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Tanko Bushi |
炭坑節 |
02'11 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Tooryanse |
通りゃんせ |
02'43 |
Flute and Koto of Japan |
Shamisen |
|
Tsuru no Koe |
鶴の声 |
04'39 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Ume Dojoji |
梅道成寺 |
14'59 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Ume no Yado |
梅の宿 |
13'12 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 32 |
Shamisen |
|
Yachio Jishi |
八千代獅子 |
07'34 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Yūgao |
夕顔 |
11'20 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Shamisen |
|
Aki no Kyoku |
秋の曲 |
19'15 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Voice |
|
Aki no Kyoku |
秋の曲 |
19'15 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Voice |
|
Azuma Jishi |
吾妻獅子 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 8 |
Voice |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
13'43 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Voice |
|
Chidori no Kyoku |
千鳥の曲 |
13'20 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Voice |
|
Fune no Yume |
舟の夢 |
18'03 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 32 |
Voice |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
20'23 |
Fascination of the Koto 5 |
Voice |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
21'28 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Voice |
|
Fuyu no Kyoku |
冬の曲 |
21'40 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 39 |
Voice |
|
Godan Ginuta |
五段砧 |
17'16 |
So - Japanese Traditional Music |
Voice |
|
Hagi no Tsuyu |
萩の露 |
21'21 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 38 |
Voice |
|
Hana |
花 |
08'23 |
Fascination of the Koto 1 |
Voice |
|
Haru no Kotobuki |
春の寿 |
17'18 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Voice |
|
Haru no Kyoku |
春の曲 |
20'08 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Voice |
|
Hien no Kyoku |
飛燕の曲 |
16'06 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 05 |
Voice |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
19'20 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Voice |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
18'57 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 2 |
Voice |
|
Kaede no Hana |
楓の花 |
20'08 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 42 |
Voice |
|
Kajimakura |
楫枕 |
15'42 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 33 |
Voice |
|
Keshi no Hana |
けしの花 |
14'01 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Voice |
|
Keshi no Hana |
けしの花 |
15'08 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 35 |
Voice |
|
Kurokami |
黒髪 |
07'35 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Mama no Kawa |
ままの川 |
11'46 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Voice |
|
Matsu no Kotobuki |
松の寿 |
12'54 |
Fascination of the Koto 4 |
Voice |
|
Matsu no Kotobuki |
松の寿 |
12'41 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 25 |
Voice |
|
Meisho Miyage |
名所土産 |
18'17 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 24 |
Voice |
|
Miyama Jishi |
御山獅子 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 9 |
Voice |
|
Nanakomachi |
七小町 |
22'55 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Voice |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
15'10 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
16'17 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Voice |
|
Natsu no Kyoku |
夏の曲 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 7 |
Voice |
|
No Asobi |
野遊び |
13'40 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 13 |
Voice |
|
Saga no Aki |
嵯峨の秋 |
13'24 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Voice |
|
Sakura Gawa |
桜川 |
15'15 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 35 |
Voice |
|
Samushiro |
狭筵 |
18'58 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 26 |
Voice |
|
Shakkyō |
石橋 |
23'09 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 12 |
Voice |
|
Shin Musume Dōjōji |
新娘道成寺 |
17'02 |
Fascination of the Koto 3 |
Voice |
|
Shin Musume Dōjōji |
新娘道成寺 |
|
Sō no Shiori (Ikuta Ryū) vol 6 |
Voice |
|
Shin Ukifune |
新浮舟 |
18'43 |
Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 14 (三曲合奏大全集14) |
Voice |
|
Shintakasago |
新高砂 |
07'00 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Shinya no Tsuki |
深夜の月 |
13'05 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 27 |
Voice |
|
Tsuru no Koe |
鶴の声 |
04'39 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Uji Meguri |
宇治巡り |
22'27 |
Fascination of the Shakuhachi - 4 |
Voice |
|
Ume no Yado |
梅の宿 |
13'12 |
Sokyoku Jiuta Taikei 32 |
Voice |
|
Yachio Jishi |
八千代獅子 |
07'34 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Yaegoromo |
八重衣 |
28'50 |
Fascination of the Koto 5 |
Voice |
|
Yaegoromo |
八重衣 |
30'28 |
Sankyoku Gassō Dai Zenshū vol. 23 (三曲合奏大全集23) |
Voice |
|
Yūgao |
夕顔 |
11'20 |
Fascination of the Koto 2 |
Voice |
|
Zangetsu |
残月 |
22'42 |
Musical Cosmos of Yonekawa Toshiko 1 |
Voice |
|
Zangetsu |
残月 |
22'38 |
Sokyoku Jiuta |
Voice |