http://www.bmwkoto.comShaei translates literally into diagonal shadows. When I am playing this piece, I envision shadows and light; light and darkness; good and evil. I picture walking through a forest on a sunny day, and in the shade you can see shadows through the leaves of trees. Where there are shadows there is light otherwise there would be complete darkness. The light cuts through the darkness as chords, arpeggiations, syncopations and guitar strumming. The piece is full of hope: a metaphor for light cutting through negative emotions such as fear, hate, and self-destruction. Shaei is influenced by rock guitar music in general. The composer, Hikaru Sawai, was a very good guitarist with his own rock band before switching to koto. His music is strongly influenced by western harmony and tricky syncopations. The recording here is of the first movement performed at the Sacramento Buddhist Church Bazaar on August 11, 2007. Enjoy!

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