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Yoshio Kurahashi is one of Japan's great Master Shakuhachi flute players. He has been with this beautiful and evocative bamboo instrument for more than 40 years. His father, also a famous shakuhachi player, was his first teacher as a young boy and Kurahashi-sensei eventually became head of his father's dojo: Mujuan dojo. In a career spanning 30 years, Yoshio Kurahashi has garnered esteem and accolades from the four corners of the traditional Japanese music world. He is recognised both in Japan and in many countries abroad as a genteel ambassador of shakuhachi and Japanese hogaku traditional music in general. He regularly performs at major concert venues in the USA and his travels and teaching take him all over the world, as far as Israel, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Singapore and Canada. His recordings have won awards and he has appeared often on television in Japan. | ||||
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Yoko Hiraoka, a certified master of koto and shamisen, directs the Koto Music Institute of Boulder. She has instructed koto and shamisen performance both in the US and Japan for 20 years. She has a wide ranging repertoire in terms of performance styles including traditional, modern, improvisational and contemporary genres not often associated with the koto. Since moving to Boulder in 1993 she has been instrumental in developing local programs supporting music played on traditional Japanese instruments while actively teaching and performing regionally and internationally. Yoko Hiraoka website: www.japanesestrings.com | ||
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Kaoru Kakizakai, born in Saitama Prefecture , began shakuhachi studies at age 21. While a student at Aoyama University he began studying with Katsuya Yokoyama. In 1987 he graduated from NHK Traditional Music Conservatory and in 1997 won the grand award for the All Japan Hogaku Competition. As one of the main instructors in Yokoyama’s Kokusai Shakuhachi Kenshu Kan, he has traveled extensively abroad and participated in Yokoyama’s CD’s and videos. He impressed WSF '98 crowds at the “Shakuhachi at Chautauqua” concert with his long-flute performances, and WSF ’98 participants with his warm teaching style and sterling technique. Kaoru Kakizakai web bio http://www.komuso.com/people/Kakizakai_Kaoru.html | ||||
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David Wheeler, musician and ethnomusicol ogist, entered the tutelage of shakuhachi master Junsuke Kawase III in 1977. He received his M.A. in musicology from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music in 1985. Since 1982 he has been performing, teaching, lecturing and writing about shakuhachi and Japanese music both in Japan and the US. David specializes in the classical tradition but performance activities cover the full range of music today from Japanese to Western and classical to the avant garde. David was one of the main organizers of World Shakuhachi Festival 1998 and presently resides and teaches in Colorado while maintaining an active touring schedule playing locally as well as abroad. David Wheeler website www.duosokyo.com | ||||
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Michael Gould began his study of shakuhachi in 1982 under renowned master, Taniguchi Yoshinobu. Specializing in Koden Honkyoku of the Watazumi Do style. He received the rank of Shihan in 1987 and was given the professional name Chikuzen. From 1989-1994 he was a member of the International Shakuhachi Center in Okayama, Japan where he studied under Yokoyama Katsuya. He was given the title of Dai Shihan in 1992. Michael now resides in the USA where he continues as an active teacher and performer. | ||||
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Christopher Yohmei Blasdel, born in Texas, began studying shakuhachi and Japanese music with Goro Yamaguchi in 1972. He received a teaching license and the professional name "Yohmei" from Yamaguchi in 1984. At the same time, he completed graduate work in ethnomusicology at Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. A permanent resident of Japan, he has performed, taught and lectured throughout China, Thailand, Europe, North America, Mexico, India, Malaysia and the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. His book 'A Shakuhachi Odyssey', published in Japanese by Kawade Shobo Shinsha, was awarded the prestigious Rennyo Award for non-fiction. (Now published as 'The Single Tone' in English). He has also published the definitive work on shakuhachi history and study, 'The Shakuhachi : A manual for learning', soon to appear in Japanese translation. | ||||
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