Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto

The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, a type of plucked zither. It is the national instrument of Japan.

Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, a native of Oakland, California, continues a long tradition of Japanese koto music in America. From childhood, Muramoto was fortunate to receive training on various styles of koto music from such masters as Kazue Kudo, Tomoko Sunazaki, Yoko Gates and from her mother, Madame Kazuko Muramoto.

In 1976, Muramoto received her Shihan degree (instructor's license) with Yushusho (highest ranking honors) at the Chikushi School in Fukuoka, Japan. Her ability to perform on the koto from traditional to contemporary to jazz gives her the distinction of being one of the few koto musicians to be able to perform in a variety of styles.

She has performed at various universities, concerts and events in the U.S., Canada and Japan. She has also performed professionally with such notable musicians as Grammy nominated mandolinist David Grisman, Ethiopian musical artist Elias Negash, and Latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo.

Additionally, Shirley's koto mastery has enhanced various advertisement productions for corporate companies including Chevron, Pringles, and Yahoo.com.

Muramoto is also the director of The Murasaki Ensemble, a chamber jazz group that incorporates koto with Middle Eastern percussion, flute, guitar and bass.