Tsugaru Shamisen Performance and Lecture

Lecture Information:
The shamisen is a traditional instrument introduced to mainland Japan from Okinawa in the sixteenth century. Somewhat similar in appearance to a banjo, the instrument has undergone several evolutions through the centuries, the latest of which is the Tsugaru shamisen. This unique instrument is heard throughout the world, spanning genres from traditional Japanese folk melodies to contemporary popular hits and original compositions at international jazz festivals. The versatility of the Tsugaru shamisen will be highlighted in a live performance by Oyama x Nitta, a duo formed by two of Japan’s leading Tsugaru shamisen performers.

Lecturer Information:
Yutaka Oyama, from Aomori Prefecture, is a third-generation Tsugaru shamisen player of the Oyama school, who started studying the shamisen at a very early age. He won the National Folkloric Music Association’s Tsugaru Shamisen Contest for two consecutive years (2001, 2002). In addition to live performances all over the world, he is also active in recordings, TV appearances, and commercials. In 2003, he founded Soothe, a musical ensemble based around his Tsugaru shamisen that has performed live, and has released three albums to date: Soothing (2004), Habitual (2006), and Bolinho De Arroz (2009).

Masahiro Nitta, from Hokkaido, is a second-generation Tsugaru shamisen player of the Nitta school. Since 1998, he has won several national Tsugaru shamisen contests. He has released more than five albums since the turn of the century, and has performed extensively in Japan and internationally. He is also active in the film industry, both as a musician and as an actor. Along with performing in Oyama x Nitta, he has formed a band with Minneapolis-based American guitarist Dean Magraw, and also performs as a member of the California-based Monsters of Shamisen.