Hogaku:
New Sounds of Japan

January 12, 2008, 8:00 pm
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York

The Artists

Wariki

Akira Katogi (taiko; dance; street performance) was born in Akita Prefecture in 1967. Since early childhood, he was trained in the traditional Japanese dance theatre ensemble Warabi-za, whose internationally acclaimed performances are dedicated to preserving and performing traditional folk arts of Japan. Katogi later joined Dengaku-za, another Japanese folk and dance company based in Nagano Prefecture, and received lessons from the group's masters. In 1999, he established himself as an independent traditional Japanese folk entertainer. In 2002, he was invited to Paris to perform at the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fashion Show. Derived from the long and varied tradition of Japanese folk arts, Katogi started a unique ensemble, Wariki (literally, "the power of harmony"), in collaboration with Shunsuke Kimura in 2001. Wariki was one of 18 groups of Japanese traditional performing arts to be featured in the 2005 World EXPO held in Aichi, Japan. In 2006, Wariki has also performed at the British Museum and the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy.

Shunsuke Kimura (Yokobue; Tsugaru shamisen) was born in 1969 in Saitama Prefecture, and is now regarded as one of the most acclaimed composers and performers of Japanese traditional instruments in Japan. Kimura won the Grand Prix Award in the 2nd ADD Tsugaru Shamisen Contest in 2002 and he is also versatile in various other instruments, including the shinobue and nohkan (both Japanese flute). Kimura has performed in many countries in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America, and actively continues his collaboration with local artists. Kimura is also a composer in his own right, and his works have been broadcast on NHK, Japan's national public broadcasting service. In April 2006, Kimura was commissioned to create music and lyrics for "Amaterasu," a highly successful theatre project in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Kodo, the world-famous taiko group, that included a guest appearance by master Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando.

Etsuro Ono (Tsugaru shamisen; taiko) was born in Akita Prefecture in 1972. Ono joined Warabi-za in 1999 and studied Tsugaru shamisen under the late master Chisato Yamada in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Ono won several awards in the National Tsugaru Shamisen Competition and performed with numerous groups, including Warabi-za and Hibiki. After working as a highly sought-after independent Tsugaru shamisen player since 2003, Ono joined Wariki in 2005 and has toured with the group for both national and international performances.

Shingo Ikegami (koto) took his first koto lessons from his parents and continues his study under the masters Makiko Saito and Katsuko Uchida. After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1989, Ikegami won the NHK Hogaku Audition, with subsequent performances on TV and radio shows of Japan's national broadcasting service. Since the early 1990s, he has made concert appearances throughout the world, performing as a member of such notable groups as Miyagi Koto Ensemble (Hawaii), the Agency for Cultural Affairs Friendship Mission (Turkey), and the Tokyo Inter-Arts (Germany, Australia). He was also the leader of the Koto Concert for Friendship between Japan & China held in Dalian in 2000. In addition to being a prolific composer and arranger, Ikegami is known as a versatile player of shamisen and kokyu as well. Since 1995, he has been Lecturer of koto at Joshibi University of Art and Design. As the President of Shinju-no-kai, Ikegami teaches his young students about Japanese traditional music.

Goto & Obama

Yukihiro Goto (biwa) was born in 1960 in Kumamoto Prefecture, and began practicing the electronic organ while in kindergarten. He began playing the guitar at the age of 12, his influences ranging from folk, blues to rock music. During his college years, Goto became increasingly interested in Japanese traditional instruments, through his exposure to various folk music from around the world. Intrigued by a performance of the late biwa master Yoshinori Fumon, he immediately decided to become his disciple. After mastering the classics, Goto formed ARAFA, an experimental trio of biwa, drums, and alto saxophone, receiving wide critical acclaim. The group was later disbanded, and Goto returned to pursue the traditional narrative performance of biwa. He has developed a unique style of biwa, which is deeply rooted in his home province, Kyushu, where the instrument was first transmitted to Japan from the continent. In 1999, Goto performed Toru Takemitsu's "November Steps" in collaboration with shakuhachi player John Kaizan Neptune and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by five encores.

Akihito Obama (shakuhachi) was born in 1975 in Kagawa Prefecture, and has studied various styles of the shakuhachi under leading masters such as Toshimitsu Ishikawa (traditional style) and Satoshi Yoneya (min'yo [folk music] style). After graduating from the NHK Traditional Music Conservatory, Obama won the Second Annual Shakuhachi Newcomer Competition in 2000. In 2004, Obama released his first album, Fukoku ("Wind Carvings"), featuring a solo performance of improvised works. In 2005, he embarked on a concert tour to the famous eighty-eight temple pilgrimage route in Shikoku, Japan, while releasing his second album, Nami to Tsubaki ("Waves and Camellias"), featuring original compositions based on the pilgrimage experience. In 2006, Obama was invited to the Swedish International Festival of Wind Music to give both solo performances and collaborative concerts with local musicians. This was followed by a successful, month-long tour of Europe. He is also involved with various ensembles including a world music group, Toho Ibun, and the min'yo-based Taiko Band. Most recently, he released his album Visions, with Japanese electronic musician, hajimeinoue.

The Instruments

Biwa
A large four of five stringed lute with frets. It rests on the player's knee, and the strings are plucked with a plectrum. Its unique characteristics are the complexity of the harmonic overtones it produces and the strange "bending" sound reminiscent of the Indian sitar. This gives its music a desolate feel, and makes it a perfect accompaniment for tragic narratives.

Koto
The six-foot long instrument usually has 13 strings but 17-, 21-, 25-, and 30-string examples are sometimes seen. The tightly stretched strings, which are balanced on an ivory or plastic bridge perpendicular to the body of the instrument, are plucked using ivory picks attached to three fingers. The player sits behind the instrument, using the left hand for tuning.

Shakuhachi
The characteristic sound of the shakuhachi, a result of the strong exhalation required to make a sound, is often used in movies or television to represent "Japan." It is a thick bamboo recorder with a standard length of about 55 cm. There are only five finger holes, but it is possible to produce a wide register an almost any musical scale by manipulating the angle of the mouth, how strongly breath is blown and the angle in which the fingers are released. Since the Edo period (1603 – 1868), the shakuhachi has often been used in arrangements with the koto and the shamisen.

Shamisen
Similar to the guitar, the player sits the instrument on the knee (recently sometimes played standing up), presses down on the strings with the left hand and plucks them with a plectrum held in the right hand. Because there are no frets, it is hard to achieve the correct pitch. The three strings are separated from the stretched skin on sound box by a small bridge. There are many types of shamisen—each used for different genres.

Shinobue
The bamboo flute is used in Japanese festival music and background music for kabuki, and more recently, in Japanese popular music. There are various types of shinobue—from short to long ones.

Taiko
A large drum which is generally referred to as taiko is covered with cowhide, mounted on a stand, and struck in a high-spirited manner with a drumstick. The wooden frame of taiko is sometimes struck as well.

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