About

mu:arts offers various unique cultural events and productions, presenting the excellence of traditional and contemporary Japanese arts and culture. Its activities include music, performing arts, community events, visual arts, designs, fashion, games, culinary arts and others.

Music

Traditional/ Traditional Cross- Over:

• Gagaku ( Ancient court ensemble)
• Shamisen( three string banjo)
• Joruri( Narrative singing with Shamisen)
• Jiuta(Narrative singing with Shamisen and Koto)
• Shakuhachi ( bamboo flute)
• Fue(Japanese flute of various types)
• Koto (13 and 17 string long zither)
• Shomyo (Buddhist Monk Chant)
• Taiko drumming
• Tsugaru-shamisen (Folk music started by blind shamisen musicians in Northern Japan)

Contemporary:

• Enka (Japanese blues)
• J- Pop (Japanese pops)
• Jazz
• Electronics
• Sound installation
  

Performing Arts

• Noh Play
• Ningyo Joruri( Puppet theatre with story telling)
• Kagura( Shintoism festival dance/music)
• Bon Dance (Popular Folk Dance) and other traditional festival dances
• Contemporary dance
• Theatre
  

Others

• Manga
• Kamishibai (Paper theatre performance)
• Shogi(Japanese chess)
• Culinary Arts
• Design
• Visual Arts

About Akiko Yanagisawa

mu:arts was set-up by Akiko Yanagisawa in 2004. Born in Tokyo, she studied aesthetic and philosophy at Gakushuin University, Tokyo, and completed an MA degree in Arts Management at City University, London. While studying in London, she broadened her interests from Western classical music to the promotion of Japanese music in UK and Europe. Between 2002 and 2003, Akiko had a bursary from Agency for Cultural Affair as an arts manager, to conduct research on the perception of Japanese music in UK. Akiko set up mu:arts ltd in 2004. Since then Akiko has produced and coordinated a number of quality performances and workshops in more than 15 countries.

Akiko is a fellow of Royal Society of Arts (RSA).

 

Registered Company Number : 6726488