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Yuki Easter leads individual, one-hour koto lessons in the Upper Garden Education Center. Registration includes the instrument, lesson materials and garden admission.
All times are local to the venue · America/Los Angeles
The koto’s playing method divides the work between two hands: one plucks the strings, while the other can alter their pitch. On November 15, the Japanese Friendship Garden offers one-on-one lessons with Yuki Easter, with a koto provided for each appointment.
The koto is a long, paulownia-bodied zither with 13 silk strings and movable bridges. Players pluck with the right thumb and first two fingers, fitted with plectrums called tsume. In traditions that developed after the 16th century, the left hand can press strings on the far side of a bridge to change their pitch or sound.
That two-handed technique helps explain the value of individual instruction, but the event listing does not specify which techniques or pieces a lesson will cover.
Further reading: Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The koto entered Japanese court music in the 8th century, where it was known as the gakusō. The garden’s account traces two continuing schools: Ikuta, established in the 17th century, and Yamada, opened in the 18th.
The instrument’s repertory includes solo danmono and chamber sankyoku; in the latter, the koto player often sings. These traditions provide context for the instrument, not a promised lesson repertoire.
Further reading: Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
Easter founded the SoCal Koto Ensemble and earned her instructor’s license from the Grand Master Sawai Koto Academy of Music in Tokyo in 1996. The garden says she has performed at JFGSD and at cultural events around San Diego County since 1993, bringing formal training and a long local performance history to the lesson.
Further reading: Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The listing describes one-on-one instruction in the Upper Garden Education Center, rather than a concert or group demonstration. Each lesson is listed as one hour, and registration includes the koto and materials. The published information does not name a piece list or specify a required skill level.
Further reading: Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The garden advertises three individual, one-hour appointments. Its 1:00 p.m. start falls at the endpoint of Balboa Park’s 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. event window, so confirm the timing and expected finish for that slot when booking.
Balboa Park lists the event window as 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The garden lists one-hour lessons starting at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The last start coincides with the end of Balboa Park’s listed event window; confirm the selected appointment’s finish time when registering.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The fee includes garden admission, the koto and lesson materials. Registration is required.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
Register through the Japanese Friendship Garden’s booking page and confirm which start time you are selecting.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The lesson is at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, 2215 Pan American Road East, San Diego, CA 92101.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The garden notes uneven ground, steep hills and narrow passageways, and says ADA-accessible pathways are available throughout the grounds. It does not specify access conditions inside the Education Center. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for comfort and safety.
The lesson information does not give a minimum age or say whether prior musical experience is needed. Contact the garden if either affects your booking.
The lesson is in the Upper Garden Education Center at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, 2215 Pan American Road East, San Diego, CA 92101. The event listing does not identify a separate building entrance.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
Use the page’s map links to calculate directions from your own starting point; the captured event details do not confirm transit routes or parking arrangements. The garden notes uneven terrain, steep hills and narrow passageways across the grounds, with ADA-accessible pathways available throughout. It does not specify access inside the Education Center; closed-toe shoes are recommended.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Buy Tickets — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The $55 member or $75 nonmember fee includes garden admission, the koto and lesson materials.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The garden lists one-hour starts at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Because the 1:00 p.m. start meets the event window’s listed end, confirm its finish time when booking.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
The published lesson information does not state an experience requirement. Contact the garden if your skill level affects your decision to book.
In the Upper Garden Education Center at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, 2215 Pan American Road East, San Diego.
Koto Lessons | Balboa Park Events ↗ · Koto — Japanese Friendship Garden ↗
2215 Pan American Road East, San Diego, CA 92101
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Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-04 against the linked sources.