Traditional music enthusiasts, music students, people who are interested in Japanese culture and Japanese residents in Davao are all invited to experience the most prominent feature of Okinawan culture – the music played by a Japanese cultural envoy from Okinawa, Japan.
Mr. Shinjin Kise, a Japanese Cultural Ambassador appointed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, will show the precious Okinawan musical tradition of Sanshin at a workshop on August 11 and a recital on August 12 at the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School in Lanang, Davao City.
Mr. Kise is regarded as a living national treasure in Japan because of his dedication to a career in teaching Sanshin, a three-stringed musical instrument from Japan's southernmost prefecture Okinawa which is related to the Chinese instrument Sanxian and the predecessor of the Japanese Shamisen. Mr. Kise is a Master of Nomura and Tansui Style Ryuukyu Classical Music and is a member of Kumiodori (Okinawan Traditional musical/song-dance theatrical genre) Ensemble considered as an intangible cultural property duly recognized by the Government of Japan. He is also an advocate of the restoration of Uzagaki, the imperial court music of the Ryukyu Kingdom which reigned in Okinawa during ancient times.
Before visiting Davao City, Mr. Kise already conducted or will be conducting musical workshops in Manila at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music (August 3 and 4), Philippine Women's University Conservatory of Music (August 5 and 6) and F. Torres High School (August 10).
He also performed in Baguio City on August 8 and after Davao, on August 14 he is set to perform at the Penguin Café and Gallery at Malate, Manila in collaboration with the Philippine Women's University Guitar Ensemble & the Gongs of Philippine Women's University.
Anybody interested is invited to participate in the workshop and recital to be conducted by Mr. Kise in Davao City. Admission for both the workshop and performance is free. For further inquiries, please call the Japan Foundation Manila at telephone numbers 811-6155 to 58 or visit JFM's website at www.jfmo.org.ph.
