Next month offers a wide selection of concerts, ranging from contemporary hogaku, Okinawan folk and protest songs to the finest of the classics. All are performed by veteran musicians. The following is a sample of what's on.

The late Tadao Sawai was an extremely talented koto player/composer, whose works sought new ground while utilizing fully the traditional sonic capabilities of the instrument. He and his wife Kazue also founded the Sawai Koto Academy, which has trained hundreds of koto players around the world.

Kazuhiro Iseki and Erina Matsumura, two very active graduates of the academy, are presenting a concert series featuring a selection of Sawai's compositions for shamisen, 13-string koto and 17-string bass koto. They will be joined by shakuhachi performer Kuniyoshi Sugawara.

"Sawai Tadao Sakuhin ni Yoru-Toki": April 22 at Nippori Sanii Hall Concert Salon, a two-min. walk from JR Nippori Station; and July 22 at Triphony Hall's Small Hall, a two-min. walk from JR Kinshicho Station. Admission is 3,000 yen. For more information, call (03) 3719-0760 or see www.erinakoto.com

The veteran Okinawan folk composer and singer Shokichi Kina, who grew up in U.S.-occupied Okinawa, and his group, Champloose, have recently embarked on a musical project for world peace. Kina's message, "change all weapons to instruments," is particularly meaningful in view of the continued unwelcome presence of foreign troops on the Okinawan islands. At his upcoming show, Kina will perform his songs and talk about his involvement in peace movements.

"Subete no Buki wo Gakki ni": April 27, 6 p.m., at the Hibiya Park Open Air Amphitheater near Hibiya Station on the Hibiya and Chiyoda subway lines. Admission is 4,000 yen in advance, 4,500 yen at the door. For more information or reservations, call Bunka Hoso Ticket at (03) 3357-9999 or see www.iride.co.jp/~maha/champloose/

The kokyu is one of Japan's least-known traditional instruments. Related to the Chinese erhu, it is a single-stringed bowed lute that was popular during the Edo Period (1603-1867) and accompanied shamisen and koto sankyoku ensemble music, much in the same way the shakuhachi does today. Its fluid melodies and wonderful glissandi pull the listener into the music and create an exotic atmosphere.

Recently , the kokyu has made something of a comeback, as a younger generation discovers its appeal. Kokyu specialist Takaya Sugiura will present a concert of traditional music for the instrument at the Osaka National Bunraku Theater

"Kokyu Honkyoku no Kai": May 5, 2 p.m., at the Osaka National Bunraku Theater, (06) 6212-2531. Admission is 2,000 yen. For more information, call Kokyu Gakki at (03) 5275-7545 or e-mail [email protected]

Although I try to introduce a wide variety of performers and concerts here, there are some performers whom I have no qualms about mentioning over and over. Satomi Fukami is one of them. Highly disciplined in technique and style, she approaches both the classics and modern music with great energy and innovation.

Her upcoming concert, "Contemporizing the Classics," will feature some of her own compositions along with new versions of the classics she has arranged. Some of Japan's best hogaku players will appear with her, including Keiko Nozaka, the veteran koto player who developed the 20-stringed koto.