Pennlive: Craftsman from Japan visits Autoharp maker
Yasuo Mita had trouble translating the concepts of overtime and vacation from Japanese to English. But Mita, a native of Saimata, Japan, had no difficulty singing the John Denver classic "Take Me Home Country Road" while strumming an Autoharp he made at his home... Mita became interested in the Autoharp and old-time mountain music 25 years ago when a Japanese band translated a collection of American music, including an album by the Carter family. Mita taught himself how to play the instrument. Then, 18 years ago, he attended the Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention...During a round robin for Autoharp players, someone invited Mita to play. "He stood up and began to play and sing 'When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall.' He did it perfectly, beautiful. He was better than anybody else there," Orthey said...more...
