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Akihito Obama the 3rd Shakuhachi Recital

  • Organization : Akihito Obama
  • Section : Artistic and creative activity in Tokyo
  • Type of Grant Program : Single Individual
  • Art Forms : Japanese Traditional Art

Outline

This performance, the final of a three-part series, focused on the traditional repertoire of solo pieces for shakuhachi called Koten-Honkyoku, considered the starting point for shakuhachi music. The program concentrated on Honkyoku as played by the two giants of the shakuhachi world, Wadatsumi Doso and Katsuya Yokoyama. Joining them for a joint performance of “Shika no Tone” was guest performer Genmyo Iso, the 22nd director of Hakata Icchoken Temple. Wadatsumi Doso was the founder of the Ichoken Fukko-ha school.

Profile

Akihito Obama
Obama trained under Toshimitsu Ishikawa in Kinko school Shakuhachi and the Koten-Honkyoku. He graduated from the NHK training program for young performers of traditional Japanese instruments (NHK Hogaku Gino-sha Ikusei-kai) and passed the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Traditional Music Audition, before winning the second annual Shakuhachi Newcomer Competition Asian Cultural Council (ACC)in 2000. Obama had a period of study in New York as a fellow of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC). He has been invited to many international music festivals including the World Shakuhachi Festival and La Folle Journée and has performed in over 36 countries. He has released 9 CDs including “LOTUS POSITION with Yosuke Yamashita” and “The Light in the Silence” collection of Koten-Honkyoku. Obama is a part-time lecturer at Gakushuin University and a member of Japan Shakuhachi Professional-players Network (JSPN).

Venues

Kioi Small Hall, Chiyoda City, Tokyo