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Not so long ago, folk songs (Min'yo) were a part of everyday life in Japan. Daily rituals, work, and celebrations were accompanied by Min'yo songs, which expressed the good and bad in life. Min'yo is thus a reflection of the nature of Japanese people and their daily lives.
Daughter of a Min'yo shakuhachi player, Shigeri Kitsu learned folk songs from her father. She mastered the shamisen under leading shamisen player Hidetaro Honjoh, and drums with Tsukimi Yamada. As a child, she acted on stage and made numerous appearances on Min'yo shows on TV and radio. In 1997, representing Japan at the inaugural World Folk Music Festival in Uzbekistan, she was awarded the jury's special prize. She formed the duo act Tsuru to Kame with Tsugaru shamisen player Katsuaki Sawada in 2002. Their stunning renditions have won enthusiastic support not only from Min'yo lovers but also from Western-style artists and critics, including Haruomi Hosono and Akira Sakata. Their "Awa Odori" soundtrack was used by the Japanese synchronized swimming team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Tsuru to Kame have so far released three albums: "Tsuru to Kame" (2002), "Ai no Kaze (Kita no Kuni)" (2003), and "Shakkitose" (2007). In "Shakkitose," numerous musicians such as Hosono and Motoya Hamaguchi (per) have participated as guest performers. The duo's 2008 tour of Central Asian countries, hosted by The Japan Foundation, was a huge success.
Also an acclaimed solo artist, Kitsu actively participates in collaboration performances with artists from various music genres. Famous works include singing the theme song during the BioLung Symphony multimedia show at the 2005 World Expo, a "kobushi (tremolo) jazz" performance on the music program "Daimei no nai Ongakukai," and other numerous joint performances with Western-style artists such as Haruomi Hosono, Ryudo Uzaki, Akira Sakata, and Kazumi Watanabe.
Performances outside of Japan include tours in Los Angeles (upon invitation from the Japanese American Association) in 2002, Singapore and Indonesia in 2003, New York in 2004, Italy and Germany with jazz musician Akira Sakata in 2008, Shanghai during the World Expo in 2010, Central Asia, Russia, and South America (Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil) in 2011 hosted by The Japan Foundation.
CONTACT:
akiko5@btinternet.com
muartsproduction@gmail.com
www.muarts.org.uk
Daughter of a Min'yo shakuhachi player, Shigeri Kitsu learned folk songs from her father. She mastered the shamisen under leading shamisen player Hidetaro Honjoh, and drums with Tsukimi Yamada. As a child, she acted on stage and made numerous appearances on Min'yo shows on TV and radio. In 1997, representing Japan at the inaugural World Folk Music Festival in Uzbekistan, she was awarded the jury's special prize. She formed the duo act Tsuru to Kame with Tsugaru shamisen player Katsuaki Sawada in 2002. Their stunning renditions have won enthusiastic support not only from Min'yo lovers but also from Western-style artists and critics, including Haruomi Hosono and Akira Sakata. Their "Awa Odori" soundtrack was used by the Japanese synchronized swimming team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Tsuru to Kame have so far released three albums: "Tsuru to Kame" (2002), "Ai no Kaze (Kita no Kuni)" (2003), and "Shakkitose" (2007). In "Shakkitose," numerous musicians such as Hosono and Motoya Hamaguchi (per) have participated as guest performers. The duo's 2008 tour of Central Asian countries, hosted by The Japan Foundation, was a huge success.
Also an acclaimed solo artist, Kitsu actively participates in collaboration performances with artists from various music genres. Famous works include singing the theme song during the BioLung Symphony multimedia show at the 2005 World Expo, a "kobushi (tremolo) jazz" performance on the music program "Daimei no nai Ongakukai," and other numerous joint performances with Western-style artists such as Haruomi Hosono, Ryudo Uzaki, Akira Sakata, and Kazumi Watanabe.
Performances outside of Japan include tours in Los Angeles (upon invitation from the Japanese American Association) in 2002, Singapore and Indonesia in 2003, New York in 2004, Italy and Germany with jazz musician Akira Sakata in 2008, Shanghai during the World Expo in 2010, Central Asia, Russia, and South America (Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil) in 2011 hosted by The Japan Foundation.
CONTACT:
akiko5@btinternet.com
muartsproduction@gmail.com
www.muarts.org.uk
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