[Mr. Tsuchikawa, Mr. Onishi, and Mr. Uei (front row from left), holding shamisen in hand, talked about their thoughts on the concert, and in the back row is Noriaki Matsunaga of KUNI-KEN, who is leading the class = Shinsho, Yokkaichi City]
With the theme of “From Yokkaichi! Tsugaru Shamisen Entertainment,” “Japanese Music Concert 2025” will be held on January 13, 2025 at the 2nd Hall of Yokkaichi City Cultural Center (Anjima). Guests include vocalist Ai Kuno, shakuhachi player Yoji Takeuchi from Ise City, and drummer Akito Suzumura.
The performers are from a wide range of ages, from juniors to adults who attend Waso Tsugaru Shamisen School. Noriaki Matsunaga of the Shamisen Brothers Band KUNI-KEN, who leads the class and also serves as a tourism ambassador for Yokkaichi City, said, “The purpose of holding the event is to create an opportunity for the junior generation to become interested in the Tsugaru Shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument. “One thing,” he says. The classrooms are located in Yokkaichi, Kuwana, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto, Tokyo, and other locations, and students of a wide range of ages from each classroom will gather in Yokkaichi for this concert. Until now, performances have been performed in the form of concerts and recitals, but Kunimei said, “Let’s perform in an atmosphere that is more advanced than ever before,” such as by using sound equipment and calling in professional players. At his suggestion, we all decided to create a stage together, and we have poured our passion into practicing for the concert for over a year.
Junior generation also performs
The junior performers, Daiki Tsuchikawa, Motomasa Onishi, and Hayato Uei, are in the 6th grade of elementary school and attend Viva Hashikita Classroom in Yokkaichi. We started playing the shamisen with Mr. Tsuchikawa, who likes Kabuki and was interested in Japanese musical instruments, Mr. Onishi, who likes folk songs, and Mr. Uei, who was interested in the Okinawan sanshin but started playing the shamisen after experiencing it. Although their motivations are different, Kuniaki says, “The appeal is that each one has a distinct individuality,” he says, expressing his hopes. In preparation for the concert, “I want you to see it more powerful than usual” (Mr. Tsuchikawa), “I want you to listen to the powerful and beautiful sounds of Japanese instruments” (Mr. Onishi), “What I have been practicing so far. I’m looking forward to seeing the large audience.” (Mr. Uei) expressed his thoughts.
Concerts created by men and women of all ages come together to create concerts with the idea of “getting people to see adults of all generations really having fun.” In order to make it as easy as possible for the junior generation to attend concerts, the admission fee is 500 yen for high school students and younger. There were premium seats (5,000 yen), but they were already sold out.
At the concert, Noriaki formed a group with the guests. FUN TERRACE, a group formed by professional Tsugaru shamisen, vocalists, shakuhachi, and drums players, also performed. We deliver entertainment with the aim of “delivering new Japanese music.”
Admission fee is 3,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for high school students and younger. Pre-school children are not allowed to enter. How to purchase tickets, etc. on the website of the Waso Tsugaru Shamisen Class (https://tsugaru-wakana.jp/school_info/infomation/wakana2025/). For inquiries, please contact “Japanese Music Concert 2025 Executive Committee” TEL 090-6074-5561.
