Photo: TAIRADATE Taira
Photo: TAIRADATE Taira
Photo: TAIRADATE Taira
Gagaku is a traditional Japanese performing art with a history of over a thousand years; but compared to other traditional Japanese and Western music it is a genre which people rarely get a chance to listen to. In order to pass on the hitherto unbroken tradition of Gagaku to the next generation, Reigakusha holds entry-level Gagaku concerts for as many people as possible, particularly for children and those listening to Gagaku for the first time, with the aim of increasing the number of people interested in Gagaku, increasing Gagaku audience numbers, and further popularizing Gagaku.
With performances of “Genjo-raku,” a classical Gagaku piece accompanied by dance, “Karabō Sails with the Wind” (Composition and script by SHIBA Sukeyasu, the founder of Reigakusha), and YAMANE Akiko’s “Hoshi no ten ten ten,” which focused on the fun aspect of the Gagaku sound itself, Reigakusha introduced the multifaceted appeal of Gagaku, and additionally held a hands-on child-oriented Gagaku instrument experience session.
REIGAKUSHA
A Gagaku performance ensemble formed in 1985 by the late Sukeyasu Shiba. Currently led by musical director Mayumi Miyata. Since its launch, the group has not only engaged in the performance of the traditional Gagaku repertoire but has also been proactive in the revival of obsolete numbers, the reproduction of/ performance with millennia-old musical instruments preserved at the ancient Imperial storehouse, Shosoin, and the performance of contemporary compositions. To date, it has commissioned new works from composers including Joji Yuasa, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Shin-ichiro Ikebe, Michio Kitazume, Toshio Hosokawa, Toshiro Saruya, Nao Isaji and Akiko Yamane. Toru Takemitsu’s “In an Autumn Garden” has been an important part of Reigakusha’s repertoire from the beginning, racking up repeat performances in Japan and overseas. In 2002 the group won the Special Prize of Kenzo Nakajima Music Award. “Reigakusha Gagaku Concert – In an Autumn Garden” received the 16th Keizo Saji Prize. In 2020 it won the 50th ENEOS Music Awards – Japanese Traditional Music Division.
General Incorporated Association Reigakusha
Sen-nichidani-kaido, 19-2 Minamimotomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0012
Tel：+81-(0)3-5259-2011
Fax：+81-(0)3-5259-2011
E-mail：info@reigakusha.com
Sennichidani-kaido, Shinzyuku City, Tokyo
