2013 / Charity concert for Fukushima children to feature koto and ocarina, May 4

 

 

The Yoko Awaya Koto Music Conservatory will present a charity mini-concert on May 4 from 2 pm at the Church of Perfect Liberty, 1130 West 223rd Street, Torrance, CA 90502.

Special guest, Dr. Takashi Mimaki, on the Ocarina, will join koto players.

Dr. Mimaki is a pediatrician and professor emeritus from Gifu University in Japan. He has been passionate about music since he started playing the violin at age 10.

Since 1999, he has been sharing his love of the Ocarina with audiences all over Japan: in concert halls and on television. In 2003, he released his CD, “Takashi’s Classic Album.”

Tickets are $20, For tickets, visit www.awayakai.com or call Yuki at (310) 418-5682.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Kuminosato beach camp for Fukushima kids on Kume Island in Okinawa. The camp is the brainchild of independent photojournalist Ryuichi Hirokawa.  He is famous for his work chronicling the lives of people in Chernobyl. 

Hirokawa was also instrumental in starting health and recuperation facilities for Chernobyl victims.After the Fukushima accident, he realized that there would be a need for similar facilities in Japan, so he started early on to set up the camp on Kume Island.