Biography

明人
Akihito OBAMA　[Shakuhachi Player]

Born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1975, Obama studied various styles of shakuhachi under leading musicians such as Toshimitsu Ishikawa (traditional shakuhachi) and Satoshi Yoneya (minyo [folk music] shakuhachi). After graduating from the NHK Hogaku [traditional Japanese music] Gino-sha Ikusei-kai, the premier one year course for hogaku musicians aspiring to be professional performers, Obama won the Second Annual Shakuhachi Newcomer Competition (2000).

In recent years, Obama draws on his musical experiences and incorporates these influences into his own music. In 2004, Obama recorded his first solo shakuhachi album Fukoku [Wind Carvings] featuring improvised works. During the following year, he undertook a walking pilgrimage concert tour to the eighty-eight temples of Shikoku Island and revealed his second album Nami to Tsubaki to [Waves and Camellias and] consisting of his original compositions. This was followed by a month long tour of Europe. In 2007, Obama released visions. collaborating with electronic music artist hajimeinoue. In 2008, Obama was invited to the Japan Festival at The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC) and World Shakuhachi Festival Sydney. He released Michinone [Street Music, New Sounds] working with satsuma-biwa [Satsuma plucked lute] player Yukihiro Goto. In 2012, Obama lived in New York for six months as a fellow of Asian Cultural Council and released SUI [Water] with his band. In 2016, Obama was invited to the International Shakuhachi Festival Prague.He released LOTUS POSITION with Yosuke Yamashita. In 2018, Obama was invited to World Shakuhachi Festival London. He released the honkyoku album The Light in the Silence. In 2019, Obama was invited to La Folle Journee de Nantes in France.

Currently, Obama performs as a solo musician and participates in various ensembles including “TAKiOBAND” led by Takio Ito, a minyo singer. He often appears in concerts overseas and has performed in over 35 countries. Obama has developed and refined his technique by performing in venues from small clubs to large concert halls with artists playing hogaku instruments and Western instruments. This has allowed him to penetrate traditional barriers and discover his own distinct sound. He is a part-time faculty member at Gakushuin University and a member of Japan Shakuhachi Professional-players Network.

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Discography

The 10th album “The Shakuhachi Recital 2020”
The live recording of Akihito OBAMA's shakuhachi recital in 2020. Obama plays Katsuya Yokoyama(KSK)'s repertoire by different lengths of instruments according to the music, and by two types of instruments (Contemporary and Jinashi). The recorded music are Takiochi, Nezasa-shirabe＆Sagariha, Kumoijishi, Sokkan, Ukigumo, Shika no Tone (#6) and Reibo. The special Guest is Mr. Genmyo ISO who is the 22nd director of Itchoken Temple. (#6) DSD recorded & mastered by Maestro Seigen Ono. 　→SDM&LiveRec
The 9th album “The Light in the Silence Ⅲ”
Obama challenges the origin of Shakuhachi music, "Honkyoku" that is diverse and deep. Obama plays Katsuya YOKOYAMA (KSK) 's repertoire by different lengths of instruments according to the music, and by two types of instruments (Contemporary and Jinashi). And Obama plays Hitoyogiri shakuhachi and Shosoin shakuhachi too.　→iTunes Store
The 8th album “The Light in the Silence Ⅱ”
Second Collection of HONKYOKU that is the origin of Shakuhachi music and is Zen music by Komusou from Edo period. Obama plays Katsuya Yokoyama(KSK)'s repertoire by different lengths of instruments according to the music, and by three types of instruments (Contemporary, Old and Jinashi). The recorded music are Daha, Tsuru no Sugomori, San-an, Azuma-jishi, Sanya (Mountain Valley), Shika no Tone, and Shoganken Reibo.　→iTunes Store
The 7th album “The Light in the Silence”
First Collection of HONKYOKU that is the origin of Shakuhachi music and is Zen music by Komusou from Edo period. Obama plays Katsuya Yokoyama(KSK)'s repertoire by different lengths of instruments according to the music, and by three types of instruments (Contemporary, Old and Jinashi).The recorded music are Yamagoe, Hifumihachigaeshi, Kodensugomori, Sanya (Three Valley), Shingetsu, Kumoi-jishi, Tamuke, Koku and Honshirabe. 　→iTunes Store
The 6th album “LOTUS POSITION with Yosuke Yamashita”
An album inspired by Japanese traditonal music and culture for example Kabuki, Noh, Festival and so on. LOTUS POSITION is the duo unit by Akihito Obama (shakuhachi) and Akira Horikoshi (drums). Maestro Yosuke Yamashita who is an amazing jazz pianist has joined 3 tunes as a special guest.　→iTunes Store
The 5th album “SUI” [“Water”]
First collection of Obama’s compositions with band members are Ko Ishikawa (sho [mouth organ]), Shingo Sekiguchi (guitar) and Akira Horikoshi (drums). An album inspired by Obama’s experiences living in New York City. The works juxtaposes the sho, originally used in Japanese court music and Shintoism, against the shakuhachi, originally used in Zen Buddhist chant. It is also a new synthesis of Japanese and Western instruments creating unique timbres and atmospheres.　→iTunes Store
The 4th album “Michinone” [“Street Music, New Sounds”]
New Japanese music using Japanese instruments to represent the modern era. A collaborative work with Yukihiro Goto (satsuma-biwa [Satsuma plucked lute]). A mixture of traditional music, original compositions, songs, instrumental music and improvisation. Historically, the shakuhachi and biwa have similar religious and artistic landscapes, however, these instruments are rarely partnered. Therefore, this album exemplifies a new fusion of shakuhachi and biwa music.　→iTunes Store
The 3rd album “visions.”
Innovative music combining a live instrument with electronic music. A collaborative work with hajimeinoue (electronic music artist). Recorded works range from the traditional shakuhachi work “Koku” [“Empty Sky”] to the minyo [folk music] piece “Amami no Komori-uta” [“Lullaby from Amami Island”]. The majority of the shakuhachi performance is improvised.　→iTunes Store
The 2nd album “Nami to Tsubaki to” [“Waves and Camellias and”]
Collection of original compositions containing strong improvisational elements. Comprised of duets with Western and Japanese instruments including percussion, double bass, viola, shakuhachi, biwa [plucked lute] and koto [13-stringed plucked zither]. Recorded at Kokei Temple, the temple on which the lyrics of the famous traditional children’s song “Yuyake Koyake” [“Sunset Glow”] are based..　→iTunes Store
The 1st album “Fukoku” [“Wind Carvings”]
Compilation of solo shakuhachi works. All works are improvised except the traditional piece Shingetsu. Recorded at the old playhouse “Yachiyo-za,” designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Hogaku Journal Vol.407
My interview article was published in the Hogaku Journal that is the most famous traditional japanese music magazine.　→Digital Book
Hogaku Journal Vol.401
My interview article was published in the Hogaku Journal that is the most famous traditional japanese music magazine.　→Digital Book
Hogaku Journal Vol.339
Our interview article was published in the Hogaku Journal that is the most famous traditional japanese music magazine. 　→Digital Book
　　
Significant Overseas Performances

2019
[Lviv,Ukraine]
Held a duo consert with TAKUYA (taiko) at Marija Zankovetska National Academic Drama Theatre.
[Prague,Czech]
Invited to “International Shakuhachi Festival Prague 2019”. Performed traditional and contemporary works.
[Kaohsiung,Taiwan]
Perfomed with Akira Horikoshi (Ds.), Frederic Viennot (Piano) and Shawna Yang (sax) at Marsaris Jazz Bar.
[Tainan,Taiwan]
Perfomed with Akira Horikoshi (Ds.), Frederic Viennot (Piano), Chang-Chih Lin (dizi), Shawna Yang (sax) and KoSwing Big Band at Dream Land Concert Hall. And held a Music Camp at KJ Custom.
[Nantes,France]
Invited to“La Folle Journee”. Perfomed with Tsugumi Yamamoto (koto), Yutaka Oyama (tsugaru-shamisen), Jiang-Jian Hua (erhu) and Canticum Novum.
[Saint-Etienne,France]
Invited to“Festin Musical de Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez”. Perfomed with Tsugumi Yamamoto (koto), Yutaka Oyama (tsugaru-shamisen) and Canticum Novum.
[Tours,France]
Invited to“Festival de La Grange de Meslay”. Perfomed with Tsugumi Yamamoto (koto), Yutaka Oyama (tsugaru-shamisen), Jiang-Jian Hua (erhu) and Canticum Novum.
　
2018
[Tainan,Taiwan]
Perfomed with Akira Horikoshi (Ds.), Chang-Chih Lin (dizi) and KoSwing Big Band at Wan Sha Performing Arts Center.
[Taipei,Taiwan]
Perfomed with Akira Horikoshi (Ds.), Chang-Chih Lin (dizi), Shawna Yang (sax) and KoSwing Big Band at The Odeum of National Taiwan University.
[London,England]
Invited to “World Shakuhachi Festival London 2018”. Performed traditional and contemporary works.
[Brussel,Belgium]
Performed with Aki Sato (koto,shamisen) and TAKUYA(taiko) at Japan Information and Cultural Centre.
[Brussels,Belgium]
Held a lecture concert at Atelier de flute.
[Berlin,Germany]
Perfomed with Hidejiro Honjoh (shamisen) and AsianArt Ensemble at Villa Elisabeth.
[Berlin,Germany]
Performed with Stefan Schultze（piano,composer) & Large Ensemble（Jazz Bigband）and Miho Hazama (composer) at ufaFabrik.
[Prague,Czech]
Performed with Hidejiro Honjoh (shamisen) at Small Hall, Archa Theatre.
[Furankfurt,Germany]
Performed with Hidejiro Honjoh (shamisen) and Naoko Kikuchi (koto) at Goethehaus.
[Udine,Italy]
Performed with Aki Sato (koto,shamisen) and TAKUYA(taiko) on Festival dell'Oriente.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Hidejiro Honjoh (shamisen) and Reikano Kimura (koto) at Tenri Cultural Institute.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Hidejiro Honjoh (shamisen) at Yale University and Greenwich Libraly.
[Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam]
Performed as a member of Takio ITO's (minyo [folk music] singer) band on The 5th Japan Vietnam Festival.
　
2017
[Lima,Peru]
Performed as a member of Lucho Quequezana's “Sonidos Vivos” at The Grand National Theatre.
[Prague,Czech]
Invited to“International Shakuhachi Festival Prague 2017”. Performed traditional and contemporary works.
[Kaohsiung,Taiwan]
Held a duo recital with Chang-Chih Lin (dizi&shakuhachi) at In Our Time.
Held a shakuhachi workshop at Chang An Ku Chin Kuan.
[Tainan,Taiwan]
Held a duo recital with Chang-Chih Lin (dizi&shakuhachi) feachuring Koswing BigBand at Tainan Cultural Center.
[Taichung,Taiwan]
Held a duo recital with Chang-Chih Lin (dizi&shakuhachi) at Shi Jin Tea House.
[Taipei,Taiwan]
Held a shakuhachi workshop at Faith Bee Art.
　
2016
[Taipei,Taiwan]
Held a joint concert with Ying-Chen, Lin（Sax） at WENSHUI ART AND CULCURAL CENTER. Held a shakuhachi workshop.
[Kaohsiung,Taiwan]
Held a recital at HOTEL KINGDOM. Held a shakuhachi workshop at Chang An Ku Chin Kuan.
[Munich,Germany]
Performed with Takuya Taniguchi (taiko) and Karin Nakagawa (25-stringed koto).
[Antwerp,Belgium]
Performed with Takuya Taniguchi (taiko), Aki Sato-Vergels (koto,shamisen) and Grete Moortgat (taiko) at AMUZ.
[Prague,Czech]
Invited to “International Shakuhachi Festival Prague 2016”. Performed traditional and contemporary works.
[Shanghai,China]
Performed with Akira Horikoshi (Ds.) as a member of "LOTUS POSITION".
　
2015
[New York,United States of America]
Held a solo recital of traditional pieces at Still Mind Zendo.
[Lima,Peru]
Performed as a member of Lucho Quequezana's “Sonidos Vivos” at National Stadium North Grandstand.
[Slovakia,Czech]
Performed with Yosuke Yamashita(Jazz Piano) and Akira Horikoshi(Ds.) sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
[Prague,Czech]
Held a lecture at a high school of music,GMHS.
[Prague,Czech]
Held a shakuhachi workshop at a university,HAMU.
[Milano,Italy]
Performed as a member of Takio ITO's (minyo [folk music] singer) band on“Hokkaido Day”in the Japan Pavilion, Expo Milano 2015.
[New York,United States of America]
Held a recital at Tenri Cultural Institute sponsored by Kyo-Shin-An Arts.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Emme（Vo.）and Shu Odamura（guitar） at CRS.
[Houston,United States of America]
Performed the world premier of James Matheson’s Concerto for Two Shakuhachi and Chamber Orchestra with James Nyoraku Schlefer（shakuhachi）and River Oaks Chamber Orchestra（Orch.）.
[Houston,United States of America]
Performed with James Nyoraku Schlefer（shakuhachi）at Asia Society Texas Center.
[Algiers&Constantine,Algeria]
Performed in ensemble "Wa San BOM" (shakuhachi, tsugaru-shamisen and taiko), sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2014
[Turkey,Saudi Arabia]
Performed with Masahiro Nitta (tsugaru-shamisen) and Shinta (taiko) sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2013
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Ralph Samuelson(Shakuhachi), Nobuko Miyazaki(Fue) , Sumie Kaneko(koto) and Isaku Kageyama(Taiko) at Carnegie Hall
[New York,United States of America]
Held a shakuhachi workshop at Japan Society
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Shu Odamura(guitar) and Akihiro Yamamoto(bass) at Nightingale Lounge
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Masayo Ishigure(17-stringed Koto) and Min Xiao-Fen (Pipa) at Miller Theater,Columbia University
[New York,United States of America]
Held a solo recital of traditional pieces at Still Mind Zendo
[Huston,United States of America]
Performed with Ralph Samuelson(Shakuhachi), Kaoru Watanabe(Fue,taiko) and Sumie Kaneko(koto) at Asia Society Texas Center
　
2012
[Italy,Switzerland]
Performed with Karin(25-stringed koto).
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Yoshiko Chuma (dance) and Roy Campbel(Tp.) at“Vision Festival vol.17”.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Ralph Samuelson(Shakuhachi) and Kaoru Watanabe(Fue,taiko) and Sumie Kaneko(koto) at St. John Devine Cathedorel.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Akira Horikoshi(Ds.) and Joel Harisson(Guitar) at SOMETHN'JAZZ CLUB.
[New York,United States of America]
Performed with Emme (Vo.).
[New York,United States of America]
Held a solo recital of traditional pieces at Ran Tea House.
[Cualicum Beach and Victoria,Canada]
Performed as a member of Takio ITO’s (minyo [folk music] singer) at“Harvest of Music Festival ”.
[Colombia,Ecuador,Peru]
Performed with Mikita Hase (taiko) and Hiroe Morikawa (koto) sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2011
[Vancouver,Calgary,Ottawa,Toronto,Canada]
Performed with TsuguKaji-KOTO (koto) and Makoto YAMAMOTO (taiko) sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2010
[Shanghai,China]
Performed as a member of Takio ITO's (minyo [folk music] singer) band on“Hokkaido Day”in the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2010 Shanghai.
[Cambodia,Laos,Vietnam,Myanmar]
Performed as a member of“Karin Group”with 25-stringed koto, piano andpercussion musicians,sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2009
[Cairo,Egypt]
Performed with Nobuto YAMANAKA (tsugaru-shamisen) at Cairo Opera House (National Cultural Center), sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
[Taipei and Tainan,Taiwan]
Held solo concert at the“Wenshan Art and Culture Festival.”Held a lecture concert at Tainan National University of the Arts.
　
2008
[New York,United States of America].
Performed with Yukihiro GOTO (satsuma-biwa) at“Hogaku: New Sounds of Japan,”sponsored by The Japan Foundation and the Asia Society.
[Los Angeles,United States of America]
Performed with Yukihiro GOTO (satsuma-biwa) at“Hogaku: New Sounds of Japan,”sponsored by The Japan Foundation and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
[Washington,United States of America]
Invited to the Japan Festival“JAPAN! culture + hyperculture”at The Kennedy Center. Performed solo improvised works at the Junko Koshino Fashion Show.
[Paris,France]
Performed as part of The Japan Foundations's Performing Arts Exchange Program“Music for Water”with sho [mouth organ], koto and taiko musicians.
[Sydney,Australia]
Invited to“World Shakuhachi Festival.”Performed traditional and contemporary works.
　
2007
[Turkey,Morocco,Algeria]
Performed in ensemble“Wa San BOM”(shakuhachi, tsugaru-shamisen and taiko),sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
[Libya,Ethiopia,Tanzania,Zambia]
Performed in ensemble“CO-CHI”(shakuhachi, and taiko),sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2006
[Jonkoping,Sweden]
Invited to the“Swedish International Festival of Wind Music 2004.”Performed in solo recitals, as a guest artist and during mass at church in eight locations.
[Dusseldorf,Germany]
Performed at the exhibition“Stillness and Crossing Point”collaborating with Mikako KAWAI (artist).
[Solingen,Germany]
Performed solo works at the opening of Takaya FUJI's (artist) exhibition,“TIME STREAM LIFE PURIFICATION salt”.
[Copenhagen,Denmark]
Performed solo works at“Restaurant TOKYO.”.
　
2004
[Las Vegas,United States of America]
Performed with Yukiko ISOMURA (piano) at the“International Consumer Electronics Show.”.
[Frankfurt,Germany]
Performed with Yukiko ISOMURA (piano) at“Musik Messe 2004.”.
[Frankfurt,Germany]
Held a solo recital of traditional pieces and improvised works titled“Akihito Obama: Solo.”.
[London,England]
Performed with Yukiko ISOMURA (piano) at the opening of “A Blueprint for Life: Designers Photographed by Steve Speller.”
[Fiji,Solomon Islands,Papua New Guinea]
Performed with“Ha.Ya.To,”a taiko ensemble, sponsored by The Japan Foundation.
　
2001
[Seoul,Republic of Korea]
Invited to“2001 Japan Korea Art Festival.”Performed solo with“Yugi-kukan”(theatrical ensemble) and was responsible for music.
　

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