Life in Japan just seems tailor-made for certain foreign residents, who slip into the fabric of this society as smoothly as a hand slides into a glove. American Curtis Patterson, a professional koto player and music teacher, is a case in point.
Not only is the gifted musician breaking down stereotypes about traditional music in this country, Patterson, 51, is also encouraging younger generations to experience the charms of koto.
Patterson's introduction to this most Japanese of musical instruments occurred in a very unlikely setting. The Chicago native, who comes from a "very musical family," took piano lessons from third grade and later played the saxophone in high school. However, he chose to pursue a degree in business at Cornell College in Iowa. "Many of my piano teacher's students were very talented and went on to become professionals. I guess I felt a little bit inferior in comparison. I didn't expect to make music my career," he confides.