Duo
Two Tsugaru Shamisen
DUO is the exciting new Tsugaru Shamisen unit formed in 2008 by Shunsuke Kimura (Tsugaru Shamisen, Fue, Percussion) and Etsuro Ono (Tsugaru Shamisen, percussion). Etsuro Ono has been a core member of the famous folklore theatre company “Warabiza”.
Their fresh authentic interpretation of Tsugaru Shamisen quickly received recognition, evidenced by the fact that in 2009 DUO was awarded the Golden Prize for their original work “Cross Road” at the 3rd Japan Traditional Music Contest. Duo has performed in USA, Italy, Korea and England.
Shunsuke Kimura is one of the most acclaimed composers and performers of Japanese traditional instruments today. Having travelled to every corner of Japan, he has assimilated various melodies, rhythms and styles of traditional festival and folk music into his own music-making. In 2002, Shunsuke won the Grand Prix Award at ADD Tsugaru-Shamisen Contest. In 2005, Shunsuke directed a live performance at the World Environmental Film Festival at Aichi Expo 2005. In 2006, he was commissioned to write music and lyrics for "Amaterasu", a theatre project directed by the star Kabuki actor Bando Tamasaburo for the 25th anniversary of Kodo, the world famous taiko group. In 2006, he also composed music for a contemporary kabuki dance show "Ouna" featuring Hanayagi Tsurusuga, a noted kabuki dancer. In 2008, he directed “Kageki – Another Silk Road” a Korea-Japan co- production theatre project performed in Tokyo to high acclaim.
Music
Listen Crossroads
Listen Dancing in the North Wind
Listen Paennorae Soran bushi
Listen Rowing under the Moonlight
Listen Sunayama
Shunsuke leads his music unit INSHO, which expresses the poetic image of nature, scenery and seasons. "I want to draw music on a canvas using most suitable elements of form and colour of sound and rhythm in order to express my impressions".
INSHO Line up-
- Shunsuke Kimura – fue, shamisen, nokan, narimono
- Shingo Ikegami - koto
- Kuniko Obina - 17 string koto, kokyu
- Hiromi Nishida - violin
- Ritsuko Nasu – marimba, cajon, glockenspiel, percussion
- Ryo Watanabe - percussion, cajon