Ikuta school

Japanese music

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June 29, 2026

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The Ikuta school is a significant tradition within Japanese koto music. The koto is a 13-stringed zither that has been a part of Japanese court ensembles and popular culture for centuries. The Ikuta school, founded in the 17th century by Ikuta Kengyō, is one of the primary schools of koto music that continues to be popular in modern Japan.12

This school, along with the Yamada school, forms the classical repertoire for the koto. The Ikuta koto has a slightly longer and narrower shape, producing a distinct tone compared to the Yamada school's instrument. Koto music, known as sōkyoku, includes solo instrumental pieces (danmono) and chamber music (sankyoku), which often features a koto player who also sings, accompanied by a shamisen player and a shakuhachi flutist.12

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Japanese music
Schools and genres
…Ikuta Kengyō, who began his Ikuta school. The term kengyō had been one of the basic ranks of musicians under the guild system and so is frequently found in professional names, but the name Ikuta remained as one of the primary sources of koto music until the creation of still…
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…Ikuta Kengyō, who began his Ikuta school. The term kengyō had been one of the basic ranks of musicians under the guild system and so is frequently found in professional names, but the name Ikuta remained as one of the primary sources of koto music until the creation of still…
Read More