SUZUKI WARAKU japanese exotic KOTO synthesizer

via this auction, via inverseroom.

"WARAKU is extremely rare and one of the most strange japanese electronic musical instruments it was originally made for playing japanese traditinal music and made by SUZUKI(home of omnichord,NOBARA,tronichord..) but this is one of most strange & bizzare instrument SUZUKI ever made...

WARNING! WARAKU is looks like classic japanese taisho koto(japanese peacock harp) but WARAKU IS COMPLETE ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT NOT ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

WARAKU was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days it was made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music and never sold at ordinary musical instruments market so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan these days this is your first and last chance to get this bizzare exotic gem!

first of all it's very beautifull! built in classy exotic wood case in classic taisho koto(japanese peacock harp)shape with strange shape 27 key keyboard(same key as classic japanese peacock harp) with 5 string bridge and 4 assignable drum pads it has 16 sounds(all exotic japanese traditional instruments like koto, shamisen, shakuhachi, weird voice etc) and in percussion mode you can play many exotic percussions by keyboard or assignable drum pad there are pitch bend lever and vibrate switch, OUTPUT JACK and HEADPHONE OUT and surprisingly it has MIDI OUT!, so you can play external MIDI module by WARAKU's unique 5 strings or keyboard size is approx W89cm D17cm H10cm

you can play WARAKU by keyboards(polyphonic) or 5 string bridge and 4 assignable drum pads( this unique 5 string brdge can play by usual guitar pick hold one key of the keyboards and play each 5 string bridge by pick like guitar 5 string brdge is sumilate japanese traditinal instruments like taisho koto(japanese peacock harp) etc.. japanese harp musician often uses fast trill play so it has above 3 strings with same sounds 4th string is -1 octave from first 3 strings(in the case you choose taisho koto,other case same as above 3 strings) 5th strings is bass string (you can set it favorite tone) string is touch sensible with verocity and totally electronic device, it's not just simply electrical amplified like usual electric guitar, complete electronic!

WARAKU has MIDI OUT so you can play another MIDI synth by this unique 5 string brdge this 5 strings are very effective for guitar,bass kind of string instruments it's feeling like guitar synthesizer

4 drum pad is also touch sensitive and can easily playing by your fingers assign drum sounds to pad is very easy,just hold one key and hit the one pad in percussion mode drum sounds consists of many exotic japanese traditional percussions of course in drum mode you can play all of them on keybord

WARAKU's sounds are very hi quality,exotic and strange!,very unique original sounds and playing by 5 string bridge wiyh pick is very funny experience"

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comnics ASCOT japanese classic exotic KOTO synth

via this auction
"comnics ASCOT(means Koto of the future) is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments it was originally made for japanese traditinal music.
comnics ASCOT was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days originaly made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music and never sold at ordinary musical instruments market so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays... this is your first and last chance to get this vintage bizarre gem!

WARNING! ASCOT is looks like classic japanese taisho koto(japanese traditinal instruments) but ASCOT IS COMPLETE ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT NOT ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS so you can play various sounds and don't need tuning each strings.

first of all, it's very beautifull designed, built in exotic painted classy wood case like classic taisho koto shape it has four scales selectable,soprano,alto1,alto2,bass and 5 sounds selectable for each scales,koto,piano,vibe,brass,bass there are knob for volume,sound select button,scale select button,5th stings octave button,5th stings transpose button,ON/OFF and simple metronome section(cute sound) and internal speaker(it also has output jack).

playing ASCOT is very easy,select scale and sound and hold one key of the keyboards and play strings by guitar pick

ASCOT's sounds are very warm and analog, unique original sounds it's very cool idea that using ASCOT with guitar effctor such as reverb,delay etc.. even distortion is good for hard rocking sound! it's super cool if you play loud ASCOT solo on stage with heavy distortion!

I recommends comnics ASCOT for the artist who tired of western electronic instruments and seeking for fresh and bizzare sounds and also recommends those who seriously studying japanese traditional music"

SUZUKI WARAKU III Gold Edition

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via this auction

"WARAKU III is extremely rare and one of the most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
it was originally made for playing japanese traditinal music and made by SUZUKI (home of omnichord, NOBARA, tronichord..) but this is one of most strange & bizzare instrument SUZUKI ever made...

WARAKU III was last and top of the line product of WARAKU family and already discontinued products this one is very cool gold edition.

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AKEBONO Japanese Rare KOTO SYNTH

via this auction
"Akebono is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
it was originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980.
Akebono was a very expensive and top of the line of KOTO synth series

it built in cool brown custom suitcase like EMS synth, one side of the suitcase is a speaker
so you can play without external amp or mixer but don't worry it has audio output too.
keyboard itself is built in beautiful plastic case and design look little bit like Roland TB-303 BASSLINE
keyboard is separatable from it's case

this unique KOTO synthesizer was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days
made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music
so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays...
it's your chance to get this bizarre vintage synthesizer!

it has 2 rows of button keyboard
this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp)
front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!

it has big unique joystick for pitch-bend and volume accent and effect button for various effect for each instruments(vibrate,accent,change sound etc..)

there are various switchs and dial for special japanese tuning,octave,etc
it has special scale change switch,you can easily set many japanese exotic scales to keyboards

and it also has play/rec section,you can record and play your performance
and play another instruments over your playback recorded sound

many sounds are selectable,various japanese traditional instruments like shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp),shamisen etc..
in drums mode it become exotic rhythm section full of japanese traditional drums and percussion
and you can play all these percussion by keyboard

sounds are high quality,warm and strange!,very unique original sounds

I recommends Akebono for the artist who tired of western electronic instruments and seeking for new and bizzare sounds
also recommends those who seriously studying japanese traditional music"

KOTO SYNTH AKEBONO Japanese Traditional Instruments with Exotic Percussions

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via this auction

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1980s Japanese Koto Synthesizer with Rare Sounds Suiko ST10

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Here is a very Rare 1980s Japanese Koto Synthesizer made by Suiko. Model is the ST10.

The Koto Synthesizer is an esoteric Japanese electronic musical instrument which is very hard to find (even in Japan). It reproduces traditional Japanese instruments.

Internal speaker or you can output to an amp. The jack is a bit temperamental but works. Tape recorder works but play back is a bit glitchy


It has 3 voices (Koto, shakuhachi flute, pipe organ. The sounds are super warm and realistic. Suffice to say this instrument will open up some new ideas for you.

There switches for reverb/echo, pitch etc. There also appears to be an internal memory (aside from the tape).

110V power plug - so you will need a step down transformer from Jaycar.

Dimensions are approximately 40cm by 15cm and less than 2KG."

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SUIKO-ST50 KOTO SYNTH Japanese Traditional Sounds & Exotic Percussions

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SUIKO-ST50 Japanese Exotic KOTO Synth

via this auction.

Click on the image for a larger shot. Be sure to see the SUIKO label below for other models. The seller also has some others up for auction.

auction details:
"SUIKO-ST50 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
it was originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1990.
SUIKO-ST50 was a expensive and most full functional product of SUIKO series

SUIKO-ST50 was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days
originaly made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music
and never sold at ordinary musical instruments market
so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays...
this is your first and last chance to get this vintage bizarre gem!

it has 2 rows of button keyboard
this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp)
front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!
it has internal stereo speakers and stereo output jack,phone jack,pedal jack,AC jack

there are various switchs for special japanese tuning, sustain,octave shift,vibrate,bend,mono/poly switch etc
trill switch easily simulates unique trill playing on Koto(japanese harp) two bend lever are available,pitch and sound level
most strange function is auto chord button(left below 4 button)
hold one keyboard and touch this button it automaticaly generates special exotic japanese style chord
it's not same as western theory but it from various japanese moods of poetic minds,really exotic!
and it also has auto play/rec function,you can record and play your performance
and play another instruments over your recording sound

many sounds are selectable,mainly japanese traditional instruments like shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp) to oboe,strings,chorus etc..
in drums mode it become exotic rhythm section full of japanese traditional drums and percussion
so you can play all these percussion by tapping keyboard

sounds are very realistic,warm and strange!,unique original japanese sounds
even chorus or strings sound has dark vintage sound color like mellotron

I recommends SUIKO-ST50 for the artist who tired of western electronic instruments and seeking for fresh and bizzare sounds
and also recommends those who seriously studying japanese traditional music

Item is MINT condition and fully working.
comes with japanese manual(copy),and simple english guidance(each switch name &function etc) by myself
using 6 batteries or DC9V adaptor(not included)"

SUIKO ST-10 Japanese Oriental KOTO SYNTH+Sequencer

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via this auction

See the seller's other items for more.

"SUIKO ST-10 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980.

WOW! what a strange and exotic design! built in cool woody case with silver metal control panel
and comes with classy black custom suitcase
left side has digital data cassette deck! and right side has internal speaker
it has built in 2 way early digital sequencer,digital data cassette and internal memory
SUIKO ST-10 is one of the most strange design model from the SUIKO line up.
and it's first time to SUIKO ST-10 put on the ebay listing from my collection
(please check out other SUIKO models from my auction list)

SUIKO ST-10 was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days
originaly made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music
and never sold at ordinary musical instruments market
so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays...
this is your first and last chance to get this vintage oriental electronic instruments!

ST-10 is monophonic instrument and has 2 rows of white square button keyboards
this keyboards specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp)
front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!
three sounds are selectable,shakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp) and pipe organ
sounds are very analog, warm and strange!
there are various switches and knobs for special japanese tuning, sustain, volume, memory controls,etc..
back side panel has AUDIO OUT and AC cable

ST10 has 2 ways of recording memory section,digital data cassette memory and digital internal memory
cassette deck of left side is not a usual analog recorder,it's a digital data recorder
such kind of digital data recorder often used with early personal computer in '80s
but I have not ever seen used in electronic instruments
usage is almost same as a usual cassette recoder
but you can change the sound while playback(e.g. koto to shakuhachi)
because it just records playing data like sequencer
other recording section is a digital internal memory
it's a simple early digital sequencer
you can record your play by realtime or note,timing separately"

SUIKO VS1 Koto Synthesizer Demo

Published on Jun 11, 2018 Found Sound

Short demo, but you don't see these too often.

"Rare 1980s Japanese Suiko VS1 Koto Synthesizer. The Koto Synthesizer is an esoteric Japanese electronic musical instrument which reproduces the sound of traditional Japanese instruments.
Has 8 of voices (Koto, Oboe, Japanese Bamboo Flute).
Also includes an internal speaker and output and power jack."

SUZUKI WARAKU III Super JAPANESE KOTO SYNTH SN 02000449

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via this auction

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Koto - Jabdah [Jabba the Hut]

YouTube Uploaded by chupiflaix on May 28, 2006
Roland JX-3P
"Please visit http://www.myspace.com/kotomaiola or http://www.youtube.com/user/kotoxx to know more about Koto

This is a completed Version of Jabdah by a fan (user Pelorcitos) with images of Star Wars.

Koto is an Italian synth pop group that originally consisted of Anfrando Maiola and Stefano Cundari, later with Michiel van der Kuy too. Their most popular songs were "Visitors", "Dragon's Legend", "Chinese Revenge" and "Jabdah", released in 1983-1988. Koto is often associated with a genre of music called Spacesynth, a music style streamed from Space Disco. Unfortunately, it has been reported that Stefano Cundari died some time between 1991 and 1992 from a brain tumor."

SUIKO ST-100 Japanese KOTO SYNTH

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via this auction

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Easel Quasi Koto Exploration

Published on May 28, 2016 Todd Barton

Easel Quasi Koto Unfolded


"A brief tutorial on my Easel Quasi Koto patch."

Visitors - KOTO cover by Asteroid Killer

Published on Feb 13, 2020 AsteroidKillerMusic

"Tribute Thursday!

This video is a tribute to the legendary italo disco group - KOTO

In this short version of their great hit Visitors, I'm using the Carbon sequencer to sequence the bass. The different melodies was played live except the small counter part after the second main riff witch was sequenced on the Matrix Brute and started manually by trigger a key and stopped with a foot pedal. Everything was recorded live in one go to Ableton. The reverb was added in post.

Bass - Moog Grandmother
Main riff - Roland SH101
Second and third melody - Moog Sub37
Counterpart to the third melody - Arturia Matrix Brute
Bridge to the break - ARP Odyssey
Drums - Roland TR707
Sequencer - Kilpatrick Audio Carbon
Reverb - OTO BAM

Original song was recorded and released by KOTO in 1985."

SUIKO ST-10

via this auction

"SUIKO ST-10 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980. left side has digital data cassette deck! and right side has internal speaker it has built in 2 way early digital sequencer,digital data cassette and internal memory SUIKO ST-10 is one of the most strange design model from the SUIKO line up.

ST-10 is monophonic instrument and has 2 rows of white square button keyboards. this keyboards specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp) front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody! three sounds are selectable,shakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute), koto (japanese harp) and pipe organ. sounds are very analog, warm and strange! there are various switches and knobs for special japanese tuning, sustain, volume, memory controls,etc.. back side panel has AUDIO OUT and AC cable. ST10 has 2 ways of recording memory section,digital data cassette memory and digital internal memory. cassette deck of left side is not a usual analog recorder,it's a digital data recorder such kind of digital data recorder often used with early personal computer in '80s but I have not ever seen used in electronic instruments usage is almost same as a usual cassette recoder but you can change the sound while playback(e.g. koto to shakuhachi) because it just records playing data like sequencer. other recording section is a digital internal memory it's a simple early digital sequencer you can record your play by realtime or note,timing separately"

electric koto taisho goto

YouTube Uploaded by panote09 on May 23, 2011
Koto meets lap keytar.

via this auction

"This is the used electric Taisho goto(koto).
It has tone and volume control and output jack.There are some wounds and scratches but it is good condition.

You can use it with the guitar amplifire and guitar effect pedals.

It runs on one 9V battery,the power turns off when the switch is in the middle position.It turns on in the left position and blue LED lights on.

It has the tunner inside.It works when the swittch is in the right position,and some red LEDs light on.They blink when a string is sounded.You need to tune it on the slowest blink of the LEDs."

Sold for $255.00

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Strange Synthesizers of Japan by Hiromichi Oohashi - Synth Book w/ CD

Hiromichi Oohashi wrote in to let us know about his new synth book featuring rare and somewhat strange synthesizers from Japan. The book features synths from his collection along with a CD of audio/music. You can find the book via the publisher Rittor Music (Japan) (published Nov.2021), and on Amazon JP here.

You can find a list of the synths featured by chapter further below.

Details on the book from Hiromichi Oohashi follow.

"This art book introduces many of Japanese most rare and strange electronic musical instruments (1960s~1980s) from author's private collection for long years.

Contains over 130 synthesizers, rhythm machines, organs, toy instruments, speech synths, etc most of these rare instruments will be the first public release. All color pages, lot of beautiful photo of these unique instruments with simple and detailed text, all photos and book design by author himself.

Contribution from Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO)

Foreword by Eric Schneider (author of TOY INSTRUMENTS/MBP)

Attached CD has original music using these strange instruments so you can hear what these synth sounds like.

CD's music made by author's band KINO-MODERNO (world-renowned electronic music duo)



Hiromichi Oohashi is an artist born in Tokyo 1961
after studied art & design at Kuwazawa Design School in Tokyo
works as an artist and producer for Art, Design and Music
also known as collector of rare electronic musical instruments
in 1990 released groundbreaking [ VIDEO DRUG2/Phuture ] and get noticed
member of electronic music duo KINO-MODERNO since 1984
president of DAT PLANET PRODUKT"

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SUIKO ST20 Japanese Classic Oriental KOTO SYNTH Mini-Organ & Speaker Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

See the SUIKO link at the bottom of this post more including a video.

"SUIKO ST20 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980.

it's built in cool brown custom suitcase like EMS synth, one side of the suitcase is a speaker
so you can play without external amp or mixer but don't worry it has audio output too.
keyboard itself is built in beautiful brown metal plate, look cool!

these keyboards were very expensive and made very limited quantities those days
so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays...
this is your first and last chance to get this vintage gem!


it has 2 rows of button keyboard
this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp)
front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!

there are various switch and dial for special japanese tuning and sustain and octave switch
three sounds are selectable,shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp) and pipe organ
sounds are very analog, warm and strange!"

Suiko St20 koto keyboard synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"You can hear the ST20 on this track

(the last song I used the instrument on)

SUIKO ST20 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980. and this one is very rare version of SUIKO ST20 with recording function it's built in cool brown custom suitcase like EMS synth, one side of the suitcase is a speaker so you can play without external amp or mixer but don't worry it has audio output too. keyboard itself is built in beautiful brown metal plate, look cool!

these keyboards were very expensive and made very limited quantities those days so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays... this is your first and last chance to get this vintage gem!

it has 2 rows of button keyboard this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp) front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!

there are various switch and dial for special japanese tuning and sustain and octave switch three sounds are selectable,shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp) and pipe organ sounds are very analog, warm and strange!"

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