Rie Asai | 浅井りえ　Koto artist based in Japan https://rieasai.com Rie Asai | Koto artist based in Japan Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:12:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://rieasai.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cropped-rireasai_logo-top-32x32.jpg Rie Asai | 浅井りえ　Koto artist based in Japan https://rieasai.com 32 32 Program Announced: Street Performing Opening Event at Nadya Park (Yattokame Cultural Festival DOORS) https://rieasai.com/7669/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:12:55 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7669 The program for the Yattokame Cultural Festival DOORS: Street Performing Opening Event at Nadya Park has officially been released!

Rie Asai and Koto Kids will perform on:

Date & Time: Saturday, October 17, from 1:40 PM

Stage: Koto Music & Shakuhachi Stage

For details, please visit the official page:

👉 Street Performing Opening at Nadya Park | Yattokame Cultural Festival DOORS

まちなか芸披露オープニングinナディアパーク | やっとかめ文化祭 DOORS

やっとかめ文化祭から、「やっとかめ文化祭DOORS」へ。なごや文化の入り口となる、いろいろな扉を用意して、これまで以上に広く、深く、このまちを案内します。

やっとかめ文化祭 DOORS
]]> In October, there is a special month with a free trial lesson of koto and shamisen https://rieasai.com/7661/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:02:36 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7661

October is a special month with free trial lessons for koto and shamisen.

Why don't you take this opportunity to experience traditional Japanese musical instruments?

Koto and shamisen trial lesson

From 3 years old to seniors!
No matter how old you are

Free tour and experience (about 30 minutes)Koto and shamisen are available for rentYou can participate empty-handed

[Schedule]
Consultation required *Please contact us by e-mail

【Koto Chikage】
〒451-0025
1-1-14 Kami-Nagoya, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefectur

Email: rieasai@gmail.com

]]> Connecting Smiles and Meals for Children through the Koto~ Charity Concert ~ https://rieasai.com/7655/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:12:35 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7655

Connecting Smiles and Meals for Children through the Koto

~ Charity Concert ~

[Date & Time]
Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

[Venue]
Nagoya Noh Theater, Rehearsal Room (Keikoshitsu)

[Admission = Donation Ticket]
¥500 / ¥1,000

[Organizer]
"Connecting Smiles and Meals for Children through the Koto" Koto Kids Executive Committee

TEL: 080-4833-1211

[Supported by]
Koto Chikage

"Connecting Smiles and Meals for Children through the Koto" Charity Concert

In the summer of 2026, we held a Koto Summer Camp on Himaka Island.

While talking with Mr. Rozan (originally from Nepal), who taught us English there, we learned that in his hometown in Nepal, many children suffer from poverty and struggle to get enough to eat.

Afterward, when we looked into the current situation facing children in Japan, we discovered that many children here in Japan are also suffering from hunger.

Learning about this reality made me feel very sad.

And I started thinking: "What can I do to help solve this sad situation?"

I wondered if I could help ease the sadness of these children through the music of the koto, something I am good at playing.

The koto is an instrument of prayer.

In October 2023, when I was in 3rd grade, I joined the Vatican Peace Music Delegation. I rang the Kagura-suzu (sacred shinto bells) at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and offered prayers for peace. I was also able to see Pope Francis, even though it was from a distance.

Through music, I saw people from all over the world coming together to discuss how to build peace, and I realized they were deeply asking themselves, "What can I do?"

I love the koto, and this year marks my 6th year of practicing it.

Now, I want to support children who are feeling sad because of hunger by performing the koto.

When I searched online for ways to actually help, I learned that support can be provided in the form of "donations."

That's when I learned about the CBC Charity Fund.

The CBC Charity Fund supports children through food initiatives. Its theme is "Connecting Children's Smiles Through Meals."

I decided to hold this charity concert with the goal of "Connecting Smiles and Meals for Children through the Koto." I will do my best so that many children can smile again.

Won't you join us in supporting the children who are feeling sad and hungry?

Executive Committee Chairperson: Yuwa Sato・Seiga

To all the children who cannot get enough to eat:

You must be going through a hard time, but I hope we can bring strength to you through our koto playing and traditional dance. Please wait for us!

Vice Executive Committee Chairperson: Mitsumi Wakayama・Fuga

]]> “Echo of the Dragon - Cross Blend -” Project Launches https://rieasai.com/7651/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 02:22:32 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7651 “Echo of the Dragon - Cross Blend -” Project Launches

A new multi-performance duo where tradition meets modernity, and sound meets movement, is now underway!

Enjoy the original world created by Rie Asai, the second-generation successor of Koto Chikage, and Fuga, the third-generation successor.


Rie Asai
Fuga
]]> We will participate in the "YATTOKAME Festival DOORS 2026" as a performer of the Nagoya Sankoku Federation https://rieasai.com/7643/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:03:51 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7643 It will be held from October 17 (Saturday) to November 15 (Sunday), 2026

YATTOKAME Festival DOORS 2026

We will participate as a performer of the Nagoya Sankoku Federation.

Performers

The Nagoya Sankoku Federation

【Koto】
Rie Asai
Misumi Wakayama (Grade 1)
Rui Komiyama（Grade 2）
Osuke Nagayama（Grade 3）
Yuwa Sato（Grade 6）
Rio Ishikawa（Grade 8）

【Shakuhachi】
Tozan Hirano

Yattokame Cultural Festival website.
]]> I really enjoyed the Japanese Kashima koto and English summer camp. https://rieasai.com/7632/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:28:12 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7632

Thank you very much for your help at the Himaka Kanko Hotel. Thank you very much!

I was able to nurture the rich growth of my children. I learned a lot, such as the connection between the size of nature and art, helping each other with peers, and judging things from a global perspective.

Many people supported us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

]]> Welcoming Guests from Hong Kong for Our Authentic Miko Experience. https://rieasai.com/7629/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:41:53 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7629

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of three guests from Hong Kong who joined our Miko (shrine maiden) experience ⛩✨

During our conversation, we learned that they have visited Japan around 20 to 30 times in the past, and their Japanese was impressively fluent 😊

They shared with us that they chose WAKEOE Shrine because they wanted to experience wearing an authentic miko outfit, rather than a costume or cosplay.

As fans of Japanese anime with a deep appreciation for Japanese culture, they listened very attentively to explanations about shrine manners and etiquette, which left a strong impression on us.

They also took on the challenge of learning a miko dance. Despite it being their first time, they picked up the movements very quickly, and their performance was truly graceful and beautiful—we were all amazed ✨

It was a joy for us as well to spend time guiding them, and we are sincerely grateful for their visit.

If you have the opportunity to visit Japan again, we would be delighted to welcome you back to WAKEOE Shrine 😊

We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

Written by Wakeoe Shrine.

]]> Fuga’s Summer Challenge! https://rieasai.com/7626/ Sat, 18 Jul 2026 05:22:11 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7626 Introducing the summer challenge of Fuga, one of our "Koto Kids."
Please watch the Instagram video below.

]]> New Blog Post by Rie Asai! Today’s theme is "The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum". https://rieasai.com/7623/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:45:39 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7623 Rie Asai here with a brand-new blog update!
Today's theme is "The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum".

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Hello, this is Rie Asai.

When I was in Boston, I often visited John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
We can experience President Kennedy's Address and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Speech at the museum's recreated Oval Office exhibit. I loved this area and every time I visited there, I spent my precious time staying there.

Lately, I have com to realize the true importance of prayer, even more than ever.
The koto is an instrument of prayer.

Now that I'm this age, I realize that the power of prayer is at work during major historical turning points.
As I play the koto, I want to reawaken the spirit of prayer in my heart.

♪Koto Chikage, Rie Asai♪
Koto Chikage is a place where you will meet the authentic Japanese beauaty.
Hands-on workshops of koto, shamisen, and calligraphy are hosted here at Koto Chikage.
We are located at Nishi-ku, Nagoya-shi, JAPAN.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum  https://en.kotochikage.com/Blog/Detail/2/15174

]]> Promotional Video Released for “Tokugawa Yoshinao” – A Traditional Japanese Entertainment Experience for International Visitors https://rieasai.com/7619/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:19:30 +0000 https://rieasai.com/?p=7619 We are pleased to announce the release of the promotional video for "Tokugawa Yoshinao," a unique entertainment experience created especially for international visitors to Nagoya.

Inspired by Japan's rich cultural heritage, this exclusive program offers guests an immersive introduction to traditional Japanese performing arts.

After enjoying the stage performance, participants also have the opportunity to experience playing traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto, shamisen, and shime-daiko.

We invite visitors from around the world to discover the beauty and spirit of Japanese tradition through this unforgettable cultural experience.

Producer: Rie Asai

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