Folk song singer "Biwako no uta hime (diva of Lake Biwa)"
Ryoko Tsukada
First “Smile Trainer®” in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture
Nagahama area interpreter guide 1st term student
Born in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, she started playing the koto at the age of 11 and later studied shamisen and folk songs. In 2012, she moved back to her hometown Nagahama City from Kyoto, where she had spent her university and professional career. She has been teaching folk songs and planning / holding folk song concerts, which had never been held in Nagahama before, in an effort to promote the spread of folk songs and Japanese instruments. She is also active in a wide range of fields, hosting events related to traditional performing arts. Currently, she is also making efforts to promote the charms of Nagahama, Shiga, and Japan on Social Networking Service (SNS).
Kojiki Kotomotoshi
Matsuhune Asami
While pursuing Japanese martial arts as a martial artist, he was naturally drawn to the Kojiki. He unravels the Kojiki, the oldest book in Japan, and explains how Japanese people should be, which is applicable to us today.
Calligraphy
Shigi Seigyoku
Started calligraphy at the age of 4, and has engaged in teaching since the age of 20. Studied under Kansho Miyashita, abbot of Taima Temple.
A calligrapher who has received recognition not only in Japan but also internationally, including the Mayor’s Encouragement Prize at the Japan Contemporary Artists Exhibition 2017 in Italy and the Bronze Prize at the 19th International Salon in Barcelona, Spain.
Martial Arts
Matsuhune Asami
While pursuing Ryukyu Karate and swordsmanship, he realized that the Japanese martial arts are connected as one. His “aspiration” is to share the essence of Japanese martial arts and the spirit of Bushido with as many people as possible.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Asako Goto
Her life’s work is to experience Japanese culture through the tea ceremony, to expand her world, and to convey the spirit of the tea ceremony. She strives to make the tea ceremony a source of inspiration for many people and to promote the use of tea in daily life.
Tsugaru Shamisen
Mizuho Kajio
Through the shamisen, she realized the beauty of Japanese tones and their effect on the mind and body. She performs under the theme of “Let’s enjoy the sounds of Japan.” She has received numerous awards as a Tsugaru shamisen player. She is an instructor at Takarazuka, and the organizer of “Itonowa Hougaku Live”, etc.
Flute and Composition
Michiko Dokoh
Started playing piano at the age of 4 and flute at the age of 12.
She has collaborated and composed music for famous singers in Japan and abroad as a flute melody composer.
She is still active in composing music.