Enchanting evening of traditional Japanese music

Saturday, 30 November 2024 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Shogo Hiyoshi

Koga Michio

Japanese Ambassador ISOMATA Akio

The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka this week hosted an unforgettable musical concert at The Ballroom in its premises.

This special event celebrated traditional Japanese music, showcasing the incredible talents of two renowned Japanese musicians, Shogo Hiyoshi and Koga Michio.

Hiyoshi captivated the audience with his mastery of the koto and sangen, while Koga mesmerised everyone with the soulful melodies of the shakuhachi. The harmonious blend of these traditional instruments provided a rare and authentic experience of Japan’s rich musical heritage.

This event not only promoted cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka, but also strengthened the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.

Hiyoshi Shogo is a master of the Ikuta-ryu school of koto and sangen music. Today he plays both koto and sangen. In addition, he plays the kokyu, a Japanese three-stringed bowed instrument, and the Heike-biwa, which is believed to be an ancestor of the sangen.

He has been a guest lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts since 2023. He has performed overseas, with his international debut in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2009, followed by Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland etc. Koga Michio is the former chairman of Metatechno Inc., the parent company of LNBTI.

Koga Michio started learning shakuhachi almost 50 years ago at Kochiku-kai, a shakuhachi club at Waseda University. He received his stage name, Chikusuke, when he achieved the status of master of the Kinko-ryu Shakuhachi School 10 years ago.