Born in Tokyo, 19 April, 1870
Died in Tokyo, 19 March, 1946
- Nobu Kōda was a Japanese composer, violinist, and educator whose music is considered to be the first written by a Japanese composer in the Western style.
- Biography from RII’s Elevate album:
- In the second half of the 19th century, Western music began to play a significant role in Japan. Much like in the West, the study and knowledge of music became a signifier of social status in Japanese culture, particularly among women. One direct result of this cultural shift was the creation of the Tokyo Music School in 1887. The school promoted the benefits of music for mental health, self-expression, and critical thinking for its (mostly women) students.
One of the pioneers of this Western musical influence in Japan was Nobu Kōda. After graduating from the Tokyo Music School, Kōda became the first student to receive a government grant to study abroad, first in Boston, followed by Vienna. In 1895, she returned home and joined the staff at the Tokyo Music School to teach piano, violin, singing, and composition. Unfortunately, after nearly 15 years of teaching at the institution, Kōda resigned due to rejection and criticism from her male colleagues. She spent the rest of her career instructing female members of the royal court.
Remembered primarily as a teacher, Kōda’s legacy more accurately lies in her role as a musical forerunner. Her small number of extant works hold considerable historical significance as the first works written by a Japanese composer in the Western style.
- In the second half of the 19th century, Western music began to play a significant role in Japan. Much like in the West, the study and knowledge of music became a signifier of social status in Japanese culture, particularly among women. One direct result of this cultural shift was the creation of the Tokyo Music School in 1887. The school promoted the benefits of music for mental health, self-expression, and critical thinking for its (mostly women) students.