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[Call for Participants] Event to Showcase the Charm of Japanese Musical Instruments "Sounds of 'Wa' @ KOGEI Next" to be Held in Kyoto on January 26
KOGEI Next, a movement to realize the next form of craft, and Dentsu Music and Entertainment Inc . are recruiting participants for the event " Sounds of 'Wa' @ KOGEI Next, " to be held in Kyoto on January 26th, which aims to convey the appeal of traditional Japanese instruments.
Handcrafted one by one by skilled artisans, Japanese traditional instruments possess a unique "Japanese" resonance born from techniques passed down through generations and influenced by climate and local conditions. While indispensable to Japan's traditional culture, opportunities to experience their sound in daily life have diminished, and domestic production numbers continue to decline. Meanwhile, Japanese culture as a whole is experiencing renewed global interest, with traditional instruments gaining attention as part of this trend.
This event will feature a talk show format where experts deeply knowledgeable about Japanese musical instruments discuss their potential and appeal from their respective perspectives. The participation of Beninagawa from the Japanese Instrument Band has also been confirmed. The venue is " engawa KYOTO," a business co-creation hub that connects people, ideas, and business concepts—various "connections"—to realize innovation.
【Overview】
Date & Time: Thursday, January 26, 17:30 - 19:00
※Exhibition of Wagakki Band's Beninagawa-exclusive Tsugaru shamisen runs until Tuesday, January 31
Admission: Free
Venue: engawa KYOTO (647 Nijo-han-shiki-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)
How to Participate: Advance registration required (first-come, first-served / capacity 50 people)
■Event details here
■Pre-registration here
【Program】
1. What is "Harmony of Japanese Culture @ KOGEI Next," born from the TEAM EXPO 2025 Co-creation Challenge?
2."The Current State and Future of Japanese Instrument Manufacturing" Hideaki Hashimoto (Vice Chairman, National Association of Japanese Musical Instrument Manufacturers)
3."The Appeal of Japanese Instruments as Heard by Foreigners" Gubina Julia (Representative, ZAKUROSHOW)
4."The Secret Story Behind Creating the World's Only Electric Shamisen" - Beni Ninagawa (Wagakki Band)
Moderator: Shinya Maesaki (Professor, Department of Life Design, Faculty of Home Economics, Kyoto Women's University; Crafts Historian)
Photography: Hanae Nakagawa Provided by: Universal Music
【Speaker Profile】
Hideaki Hashimoto, Vice Chairman, National Federation of Japanese Musical Instrument Associations
Representative of Marusan Hashimoto, a company in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, manufacturing over 400 types of Japanese musical instrument strings, including koto strings, shamisen strings, biwa strings, kokyu strings, and Okinawan sanshin strings. In recent years, he has focused on developing new markets, expanding beyond Japanese instruments to include foreign instruments. Since 2011, he has successfully entered the traditional instrument markets of China and South Korea. Furthermore, in 2019, he was commissioned by the Shosoin Office to produce silk strings for a replica lacquered rosewood five-string biwa. He is also involved in the analysis, research, and production of silk strings used in historical instruments.
Gubina Julia, Representative of ZAKURO SHOW
Born in Russia, holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Since arriving in Japan in 2009, she has worked in translation and interpretation for games, anime, and films. From 2015, she worked in tourism, welcoming tour groups from Russia, Thailand, English-speaking countries, and European nations. Since 2018, she has co-hosted the "Japanese Traditional Instrument Live Performance ZAKURO SHOW" with Yisraelyan Kalen. In Tokyo, they organize regular concerts for overseas tourists, workshops, Japanese traditional instrument concerts for children, and special events like a concert & Japanese traditional instrument experience session for 80 Hong Kong music students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she produced a "Japanese Traditional Instrument Cover Video Series of Western Hit Songs, Movie, and Anime Music" to promote the appeal of Japanese traditional instruments overseas online. Receiving grants from the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Cultural Continuity Support Project," "Arts For the Future!," and "ARTS for the future! 2," as well as Tokyo Metropolitan Government's arts support project "Cheers for Art!," she continues online streaming and special concert projects, energetically promoting Japanese instruments and culture.
■About Wagakki Band
Wagakki Band is an innovative rock entertainment band of eight members, fusing shigin (poetry recitation), traditional Japanese instruments, and rock band elements. Their latest work is the album "VOCALOID Zanmai 2," featuring covers of popular Vocaloid songs.
They launched the "Tarumojin Project" to support Japanese traditional culture and performing arts facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes supporting the Fukuyama Koto through Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Tokyo Wagakki, a major shamisen manufacturer facing closure. Beyond instrument makers, they actively support Japanese traditional culture, such as Gifu Wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas). The Tarumojin Project has now reached its fourth phase, supporting "Okinawa Prefecture's Traditional Culture and Performing Arts."
■About KOGEI Next
A movement to realize the next form of craftsmanship. It connects contemporary society, which has had little engagement with craft artists, to create works and activities. Through engagement with the natural environment and social issues, it aims to realize a new form of craftsmanship that possesses value beyond being merely an object.
This movement is driven by Kogae Shouei, an antique dealer based in Kyoto, and Cross Tech Management, which supports IoT creator development and startup ventures.
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