Where tradition meets improvisation
Motoshi Kosako
Bridging East and West
Born in Matsuyama City, Japan, the sister city to Sacramento, Motoshi Kosako’s musical journey began with early musical with his mother sending to training on the piano at the age of 4. When he was old enough to pick his own instrument he picked the electric guitar, because it was cool, AND his older brother played it, ( may he rest in peace ). Motoshi taught himself to play it, through listening to the music on the radio and second hand tapes. His passion for music flourished while at University of Tokyo, where he played acoustic and electric guitar in professional jazz bands. Described, at the time by Swing Journal magazine as “one of the most remarkable young jazz musicians,” Motoshi quickly established his presence on the Tokyo jazz scene.
In 1997, Motoshi decided to reinvent himself and moved to the United States and soon discovered new musical calling—the harp. A largely self-taught harpist with only a few formal lessons, he rapidly mastered the instrument. His long hours of practice and exceptional talent led him to become the principal harpist for the Stockton Symphony Orchestra in California from 2006 to 2010, where he also performed as the featured soloist for Mozart’s Harp Concerto during the 2009-2010 season.
Motoshi’s unique style and innovative approach to the harp earned him second place in the Lyon & Healy International Jazz & Pop Harp Competition in 2007. His creative excellence also earned him the “Best of Sacramento” award from Sacramento Magazine as “Best Jazz Hound in Tie and Tail.”
Renowned for his original compositions, Motoshi’s music has been featured in TV commercials, programs, films, and apps. He performs both improvised and written music live, collaborating with actors, and presenting in solo and various ensemble formats. His collaborations include performances with acclaimed jazz musicians such as Paul McCandless, Michael Manring, Chris Garcia and Bill Douglass (may he rest in peace).
Since 2008, he has been touring mainly in Japan, performing and conducting workshops, and is considered one of the most influential jazz harpists in both the U.S. and Japan.
Motoshi’s discography includes two classical harp albums, “Celestial Harp I” and “Celestial Harp II,” and 11 jazz albums, showcasing his versatility and depth as a musician.
Highlights include:
- 2008: "Naked Wonder" (Trio)
- 2011: "Place in the Heart" (Duo with Paul McCandless)
- 2012: "Motoshi Kosako Quartet Live" (Quartet)
- 2013: "On the Way Home" (Solo)
- 2014: "Night Time Jazz Harp" (Duo with Akio Sasajima)
- 2015: "The Best of Motoshi Kosako, Jazz Harp"
- 2015: "Hymn" (Solo)
- 2016: "Studio 92" (Solo)
- 2017: "Spiritual Mountain" (Duo with Miki Matsushima)
- 2018: "Pilgrim" (Solo multi-instrumental)
- 2019: "One or Eight" (Duo with Akira Sekine)
Motoshi has performed at prestigious events, including:
- The Future of Harp 2009 in Yokohama, Japan
- VIII Rio Harp Festival 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- American Harp Society National Conference 2014 in New internationalOrleans
- World Harp Congress, Sydney 2014 in Australia
- American Harp Society National Conference 2018 in Los Angeles
Compostions
Motoshi inspiration for composing comes from a combination of years of deeply listening to musicians ( as only can be done on a tape :) ) of bands whose music deeply resonated in him, and a drive to express his rich inner life through music.
If you know their music, you will hear their inspiration of influences in his compositions and improvisations: Bill Evans, Paul McCandless, Ralph Towner, Kieth Jarret, the band Oregon, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Bach, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, and so many more
Recorded Compositions
"Alcyon" - inspired by the ancient Greek myth of the sea mans lucky bird the kingfisher who thanks to divine assistance, the birds would bring calm weather during their nesting period.
"Foxing Hour" - the mystical hours of dawn and dusk when we see the grey foxes dance in the sierra foothills
"Walking into Open Land" - inspired by childhood friend Norio Matsumoto videography of the wilds of Alaska - created with Paul McCandless
"Waltz for Terra"- for his wife Terra ( inspired by Waltz for Debbie by Bill Evans )
"Studio 92" - to honor the square footage of his first music studio of 92square feet
"On the Way Home" - inspired by the emotion of coming home to Terra and the kids after a week away
"Hymn No. 1" - a series
"Hymn No. 2" - of
"Hymn No. 3" - conversations
"Hymn No. 4" - with Spirit
"Distant Land" - inspiring music from land of our timeless soul that we return to
"One or Eight" - (ichi ka bachi ka) is a Japanese expression that translates to "all or nothing" or "sink or swim." Expresses amazement of how and where the little choices in his life have consequence of bringing him here now ~ .
"China Road" - this song was inspired one day while he was strumming on the harp and he had set a chord, which was reminiscent of traditional Chinese tones and made him envision the great trade caravans crossing the beautiful land
"Morning Prayer" - as the world awakens
"Forest Awakening" - how the forest begins to sing in the morning
"Venti Creator Spiritus" - an arrangement by Motoshi Kosako of a Gregorian Chant
"Winter Sunrise" - inspired by the sound of the long suns long rays touching the bare trees
"Sunny Brain" - ( no tenki ) is a Japanese term for someone who is consistently happy, can might be naive, and is inspired by his wife, Terra.
"A Song for Native American Land" - the land we live on inspired these free improvisations
"A Dance for Native American Land"- the land we live on inspired these free improvisations
"Kyrie Eleison" - inspired by Gregorian chant renaissance compositions of the prayer
"Remembrance of Homeland"- song of Japan
"Some Blues"- Miles Davis wrote, 'All Blue', 'No Blues' wiched inspires Motoshi to write 'Some Blues'
"Idle Talk"- Calypso themed song that is a great conversation between musicans that never stops
"Barking at the Moon"- the sound of an asian ink painting of a dog barking at the reflection of the moon"Petals Will Fall"- in memory of a friend suddenly passing reminding us that petals will fall
"Place in the Heart part 1"- These pieces share the landscape within Motoshi's heart
"Place in the Heart part 2" from the dark forest, to lake side to the pastoral plains
"Gentle Rain"- the quiet of the soft rain
"Bailaora"- the bailaora is the female star flamenco dancer who's movements convey passion
"East Wind"- written for and featuring the shakuhachi"Scotch Mist"- the mood of the calm fine mystical mist that embraces the land
"Moon in the Heaven, Rose in the Heart"- an insightful ballad, inspired by Rumi poem
"Living River"- The first drop of rain falls on the mountain dancing down into a rushing river
"Naked Wonder"- one of the very first Jazz style compositions - created from pure naked wonder if it was even possible to create this style of music on the harp
"Spiritual Mountain"- Mount Ishizuchi the tallest mountain in western Japan, on Motoshi's home island of Shikoko which is a place of spiritual pilgrimage and spiritual practice for the yamabushi."Cross Roads"- written for and inspired by Paul McCandless to feature his celestrial sound on the obo, written during Motoshi's transition from classical harp to improvisation and not knowing if it would work
"Babbling of the Drunkard"- Inspired by Miles Davis's Freedom Jazz Dance"Inner Nature"- 'If we don't have an awareness of our internal nature, we can not have connect to Nature' - Motoshi
Night follows the Day"- Motoshi wrote this song, and it lived without a title for some time, until one day we were reading Shakespear: "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."
"No Sure Sense"- a platform for improvisation
"Stuck in a NoWhere Town"- the song to our small lovely rural town hidden in the sierra foothills
"Income of Pain"- an introspective jazz ballad in a minor chord
"Voyage Without End"- Inspired by Herbie Hancocks, 'Maiden Voyage' has a simple structure encouraging improvisation
"Between Homes"- this song was born on a plane ride between Japan and California
"UnOpened Gift" - Motoshi often felt he was ungifted, and realized in truth because he had not opened the gifts that exist within."Pilgrim"- the journey with the spiritual pilgrim
Beyond music, Motoshi Kosako's journey to holistic health began early in life, though he may not have known it at the time. His mother provided him with varied, traditional, delicious, wild harvested seasonal healthy food and sometimes used traditional means to help him, such as taking him to swimming classes to alleviate his asthma.
In high school, he dedicated himself to guitar and judo. He was amazingly lucky to have Hatsuyuki Hamada sensei, as the judo instructor at his high school. Hamada sensei is still highly regarded for his clear and concise teaching style and his dedication to the traditional principles of Judo, emphasizing discipline, respect, and self-improvement. They still meet from time to time when Motoshi returns home. Upon entering Tokyo University, Motoshi began performing professionally on the electric guitar as well as joining the Tokyo University judo team but had to bow out of the team early due to an injury.
After graduating with a B.S. in Health Science and Nursing, Motoshi worked for a year at the Tokyo University Hospital as a psychiatric public health nurse. During this time, he began to deeply question the deep reliance on chemicals to make patients manageable. He often observed that these patients where separated from society, with their families rarely coming to visit, and where managed like it was a factory.
During this time he was performing regularly on the Tokyo scene, as well as being deeply influenced by greats like Pat Metheny, Oregon, Ralph Towner, Kieth Jarret and many more. But no matter how hard he tried physically he could not create the music he was hearing. He felt something was missing. It was during this time he came across the book, "The Biography of Kieth Jarret" only publish in Japan. Where in Kieth Jarret spoke of how his Fourth Way esoteric practice deeply influenced and guided his music. Between the seeking to "gain" what he was missing in his music and the inner conflict between healing and the current medical structure he picked up his guitar and traveled to the USA, seeking new discoveries.
In the USA, Motoshi discovered the harp and dedicated his time and energy to mastering this new instrument.
In his 30s, after marrying Terra, he embraced family life. He returned to Judo but faced another injury, which prompted him to explore yoga, gardening, and meditation. These practices led to further exploration and incorporation of other holistic practices. Developing greater body awareness through these endeavors, he returned to the Kodokan and successfully tested for his second-degree black belt. He then began teaching Judo at a local dojo, where his children joined him on the mat.
His dedication to holistic practices and health led him to join the NPO Total Health Research Group in Japan in 2008. Motoshi's research in sound healing and the practical applications of music for health promotion has been published in the professional journal "Science of Public Health" in Japan.
Together with his wife Terra, their dogs, cats, goats, and 90-year-old grandpa, Motoshi is transforming their 15-acre property into a sustainable farm using permaculture methods. They enjoy the bounty of their garden and care for livestock, including pigs and chickens.
Join Motoshi Kosako at The Path of Practice to explore the harmonious blend of music and holistic living, where East meets West, and tradition meets innovation.
Beautiful. Wise. Resilient.
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