{"id":9057,"date":"2016-06-07T11:22:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T02:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/weekly\/?p=9057"},"modified":"2016-06-07T11:22:24","modified_gmt":"2016-06-07T02:22:24","slug":"wasedas-tsugaru-shamisen-circle-traditional-japanese-music-with-a-rock-twist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/weekly\/attention-en\/2016\/06\/07\/9057\/","title":{"rendered":"Waseda\u2019s Tsugaru Shamisen Circle \u2013 \u201cTraditional Japanese music, with a rock twist\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThey refused to give in and with disciplined practice won at Japan\u2019s national tournament\u201d<\/h3>\n

Official Circle \u201cTsugaru Shamisen Enthusiast Society Mitsudomoe\u201d
\nChief Secretary \u2013 Yuka Abe, third year student at School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Pictured left)
\nPractice Manager \u2013 Mai Tomatsuri, third year student at School of Culture, Media and Society (Pictured right)<\/h6>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On November 29, 2015 official circle \u201cTsugaru Shamisen Enthusiast Society Mitsudomoe\u201d won their first victory for \u201cgroup performance (original composition)\u201d at the third National Tsugaru Shamisen\/Tsugaru Folk Song Tournament. It was the circle\u2019s first time participating in the tournament. We spoke with Chief Secretary Yuka Abe and Practice Manager Mai Tomatsuri about the group\u2019s activities and their first tournament victory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong>\u2015\u2015How did you start playing the shamisen?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abe:<\/strong> I was interested in traditional Japanese instruments and in my first semester I visited a koto (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument) circle and Mitsudomoe. This was the first time I saw a shamisen group performance. I was immediately hooked. A group performance that uses only one type of instrument is much different than that of a traditional orchestra or wind ensemble and Mitsudomoe\u2019s performance left a very strong impression on me.<\/p>\n

Tomatsuri: <\/strong>I am a little embarrassed to say this but the reason I became interested is because of Mitsudomoe\u2019s cool posters around campus. The posters were black and had Mitsudomoe\u2019s insignia with the caption \u201cWaseda\u2019s traditional Japanese music circle, with a rock twist.\u201d I sat in at one of the circle\u2019s sessions and liked the atmosphere so I decided to join.<\/p>\n

Abe:<\/strong> Both of us had never played the shamisen before but this was the same for most members which made it easier for us to get started.<\/p>\n

\u2015\u2015<\/strong>What is it that you like about the shamisen?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tomatsuri:<\/strong> The shamisen is different from the guitar or other stringed instruments and has a very unusual sound. It is capable of producing traditional folk songs, rock songs in the vein of the Yoshida Brothers, as well as soothing ballads. It is an incredibly versatile traditional instrument.<\/p>\n

Abe:<\/strong> As someone who played the piano until high school being able to bring the shamisen wherever I wanted was very appealing. Many people think the sound is too loud to practice at home but there is noise dampening equipment that allows you to practice at a lower volume.<\/p>\n\n\t\t