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―Our home and Koto― Fukuyama (in Hiroshima prefecture) where our school stands is the city which is known for “KOTO”． We can think the connection between Fukuyama and “KOTO” started about ４００ years ago. In those days, artistic accomplishments and learning music were desirable among samurai and town people in all Japanese castletowns． The time when the “KOTO” made in Fukuyama began to be known thoughout Japan was the end of Edo period (about １８００)．Koto Kuzuhara(１８１２〜１８８２) taught people in Fukuyama how to play “KOTO”，and had many pupils. So the demand for KOTO” in Fukuyama increased． Therefore，Chosou Makimoto(１８０２〜１８８２) and Jinshich Suganami(１８３２〜１９１０) began to produce more “KOTO”． They made Fukuyama's “KOTO” more popular because of their quality. And demand of “KOTO” made in Fukuyama became more and more increase． At last around 1925, “KOTO's” craftsmen in Fukuyama came short. So crefstmen devised a new production way. Before 1925, “KOTO” had been made by one craftsmen. But after 1925, craftsman shared their work and they could make Fukuyama's “KOTO” popular in Japan. Thereafter in 1982 “KOTO” in Fukuyama was designated as a traditional craft. And now Fukuyama's product of “KOTO” accounts 70% in “KOTO” market in Japan. |