O-Sho Yamato, third headmaster of Yamatogaku Music School, will be making a special appearance at the Matsutoyo-kai 59th anniversary recital on Sunday, July 21 at Ken Nakaoka Community Center in Garden starting at 12 noon.
Two new Yamatogaku Natori will also make their debuts from Matsutoyo-kai as newly inducted members, taking on the “Yamato” name.
“Yamatogaku” is modernized shamisen music that aims to blend the best of both traditional Japanese and western elements. It was founded 91 years ago by artist and businessman Baron Kichishichiro Okura.
Kyosho Yamato
Kyosho Yamato (aka Mariko Watabe) of Fuji Japanese Music in U.S. will be singing one of the headmaster’s guest songs, “Ame, (Rain)”, along with Risho Yamato, the new natori of Matsutoyo-kai.
Additionally, “Musume Mikoshi,(Girls’ Portable Shrine)”, will be performed jointly by the three Yamatogaku schools in Los Angeles: Yamatogaku USA, led by Yasoyo Yamato, Fuji Japanese Music led by Kyosho Yamato, and host of event, Matsutoyo-kai led by Matsutoyo Sato.
Shamisen by Fuji Japanese Music’s two natoris; Kyoichiro Yamato (Oxnard), Kyoto Yamato (New York), as well as local students of Momoka Takahashi and Nathaniel Von Dolteren will also take stage alongside the other two Yamatogaku groups.
The performance lineup also includes two more Yamatogaku songs: “Kotobuki, (Wishing for Longevity),” and “Kitsune, (Fox).”
O-Sho Yamato
O-Sho Yamato is the third headmaster of Yamatogaku, winner of two major awards for shamisen and the first Japanese performer to appear at the Globe Theatre in England, where she performed “Ofelia” using only shamisen at the festival commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
She has appeared at the National Theatre of Japan as well as numerous Japanese and international venues, mainly as accompaniment of traditional Japanese dance.
She composes music and appears on TV, radio, film music, and YouTube in addition to her 12 CD albums released by King Records.
This year’s Los Angeles recital serves as a launching point to further promote Yamatogaku in the United States.
Past performances in the U.S.
2008: New Years Performance: The World of Yamatogaku at James Armstrong theater
2015: Yamatogaku concert at MIYAKO HOTEL
2019: Yamatogaku concert featuring Shamisen and Hayashi percussion at Ken Miller recreation center
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【Yamatogaku official website】http://yamatogaku.jp/
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【Inquiry】 Yamatogaku1933@gmail.com
