Music From Japan Festival 2012: Resonances of the Kugo

Fuyuhiko Sasaki, kugo (angular harp)
with Mayumi Miyata, sho
Hitomi Nakamura, hichiriki and shoga
Takeshi Sasamoto, Shosoin shakuhachi and haisho
Kyoko Kato, hokyo
Pre-concert lecture by Norio Kanno, Mayor of Iitate Village, Fukushima

*Tickets to this performance include admission to 7PM pre-concert lecture.*

Fuyuhiko Sasaki, a leading exponent of the kugo, brings the other-worldly sound of its silk strings, joined by Mayumi Miyata (sho), Hitomi Nakamura (hichiriki), Takeshi Sasamoto (Shosoin shakuhachi and haisho), and Kyoko Kato (hokyo), all established artists of gagaku and reigaku.

Iitate, an idyllic village in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture, was tragically affected by 2011’s nuclear disaster, with most of its residents having to be displaced and dispersed in the aftermath. Norio Kanno, Iitate’s mayor, will speak before tonight’s concert, which includes a piece written especially for the village. Music From Japan is raising funds for Iitate: for information, visit www.MusicFromJapan.org.