Tadao Sawai (沢井 忠夫, Sawai Tadao, 1938 – April 1, 1997) was a Japanese koto player and composer.
He was renowned all over Japan for his skill at the koto and also received acclaim for his compositions.
Born in Aichi Prefecture, Sawai graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1958.
Sawai worked with a number of Western musicians, including Wadada Leo Smith and also released a CD of himself playing Jazzy Bach on the Koto.
Bach Is Alive and Well and Doing His Thing on the Koto, Sawai (first koto), Kazue Sawai (second koto), Hozan Yamamoto (shakuhachi), Sadanori Nakamure (guitar), Tatsoro Takimoto (bass), Takeshi Inomata (drums).