JCC E-Magazine September 2024

Kyo no Shiki, or the 4 seasons of Kyoto, brings us to the calm scenery of Higashiyama and Maruyama.

Nanbu Tawarazumi Uta is a celebratory song from Aomori Prefecture that used to be sung during New Year’s Day by performers to bring in blessing from the Fortune God.

On 3 August 2024, JCC held a lecture, demonstration and performance centred on two traditional Japanese musical instruments. Ms Kineie Nami introduced about the history, types, and features of shamisen, and gave a short demonstration of the popular Vocaloid song “Senbon Zakura”. Ms Sakurama Ro Kyeong Soon presented about kotsuzumi’s history, types and sounds, and demonstrated music from the game “Genshin Impact”.

This was followed by grand total of 14 performances that highlighted the enchanting sounds of both shamisen and kotsuzumi, played by both teachers as well as other musicians from Japan and Nihonbuyo Grand Master Mr Naya Reitoku. Some performances were also accompanied by elegant dances by the Reitokukai Japanese Dance Group and Mr Naya Reitoku. The audience was mesmerised by the variety of melodies and dances, which transported them from the serene streets of Kyoto to the lively seas of Hokkaido. It was truly a feast for the ears and eyes, and the Saturday afternoon ended with warm applause from the audience.

Nami-sensei showing two types of shamisen: hosozao and chuzao.		Ro-sensei demonstrating the different sounds produced by kotsuzumi.
Sakura Sakura is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting spring, and often sung in international events as a representative song of Japan.		Kikuzukushi is studied as an introductory piece regardless of age as the best song for learning the fundamental movements of Nihonbuyo.
Fukugawa Bushi originated as a popular folk song during the Edo period, while Asakusa Mairi depicts the lively scenery of Asakusa.		Oedo Nihonbashi relates the joy of a young girl making her first journey back home after working in Edo for a long period as an apprentice in a merchant’s shop.
Soran Bushi is a folk song from the coast of the Sea of Japan in Hokkaido, and is about herring fishing.		JCC Director Ms Akiko Kawabe with Nami-sensei, Ro-sensei, Naya-sensei, the musicians from Japan and the Reitokukai Japanese Dance Group performers.

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