A Night of Japanese Traditional Music with Master Kouzan Oyama of Shishido

Tsugaru-Jamisen (Shamisen), Koto, and Okinawa Sanshi

津軽三味線・箏・沖縄三線ワークショップ by 津軽三味線　獅子道

The Japan Society of Boston and the Japan Society of Northern California are proud to jointly present a musical night to remember with Kouzan Oyama (小山貢山)!  Master Kouzan is a Tsugaru-Jamisen (a type of shamisen, or three-stringed Japanese guitar) player, master teacher, and two-time winner of the Tsugaru-Jamisen World Championships. He is now a celebrated teacher in Shinjuku as well as New York.

In this fascinating workshop, Master Kouzan will showcase the allure of traditional Japanese music by demonstrating the Tsugaru-Jamisen, the koto (Japanese horizontal harp) and Okinawa sanshin (three-stringed Japanese banjo).  Learn about the differences between traditional Japanese instruments (wagakki) and Western instruments, and enjoy a performance of Japanese wagakki online!

Date & Time

US: Monday, October 5, 2020 4:30 PM (Pacific Time)

JAPAN: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 8:30AM (Japan Time)

Price: FREE!

Agenda:
4:30-4:35 — Welcome, and Opening Remark Yuko Handa, Managing Director, Japan Society of Boston and Kendra De Nike, Office Administrator, Japan Society of Northern California
4:35-5:20 — Performance by Kouzan Oyama | Tsugaru Shamisen, Koto Player
5:20-5:28 — Q&A
5:28-5:30 — Closing Remark Takahide Akiyama | President, Japan Society of Northern California

___

___

Our Performer

Kouzan Oyama | Tsugaru Shamisen, Koto Player

Kouzan was born in the Ehime Prefecture of Japan in 1979. He went on to study the koto at the Sakuyo Junior College of Music in Okayama, graduating in 1999. After discovering the Tsugaru-Jamisen, he was fascinated by the instrument and decided to make it his main focus. He studied the Tsugaru-Jamisen under Mitsugu Oyama and became a master teacher certified by the Oyama School, the largest Tsugaru-Jamisen School in Japan. He went on to win first place at the Tsugaru-Jamisen World Competition in 2018 and 2019. Master Kouzan has frequently appeared in Japanese media, including newspapers and television programs.  He is now the president of Shishido Inc. and one of the directors of the non-profit, Institute for Japanese Traditional Culture Experience and Education (IJCEE).

Learn more about Master Kouzan on his website, or watch his videos on YouTube!

___

In cooperation with