Cultural event of the month

November 2008: Yoshida Brothers-Live Concert

All tickets of the concert have been taken.

Thank you very much for your interest to the concert.

The most eminent Tsugaru Shamisen (Japanese Traditional Lute) players will be coming to Suva for their prestigious performance!!

Date：Nov 18 (Tue) 19:00～20:15
(Gate will be open at 18:00)　　　

Venue：Suva Civic Auditorium (See Map)
Admission Free

Ticket for the show can be collected at the Embassy in advance.
For more details, please contact eojculture@connect.com.fj, www.fj.emb-japan.go.jp/ or 330-4633

How to collect tickets All tickets have been booked out!

Number of seats available at the Suva Civic Center for this performance is Limited. Therefore it is strongly advised to make reservations in advance. Please inform us by telephone 3304633 or email eojculture@connect.com.fj of your name and the number of seats required by Monday, November 17.

You will be provided a reservation confirmation number. Please collect tickets at the Embassy of Japan (2nd Floor, Dominion House) by Monday, November 17 or at the Suva Civic Center after 6pm on the day of the performance by telling the reservation confirmation number mentioned above.

Only if there are still available seats, you will obtain tickets at the Suva Civic Center after 6pm on the day of the performance.

Yoshida Brothers

The Yoshida Brothers, Ryoichiro and Kenichi, were born and bred in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Each picked up the shamisen at the tender age of five. After sweeping prizes at national Tsugaru shamisen conventions, the brothers made their major debut in 1999. The debut album sold over 100,000 copies, which is an extraordinary figure for a traditional folk music release. They won the “Traditional Japanese Music Album of The Year” category of the 15th annual Japan Gold Disc Award, as well as the “30th Anniversary of Normalization of Japan-China Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Special Prize” of the 17th Annual Japan Gold Disc Award.

What is Tsugaru Shamisen??

Shamisen is one of traditional Japanese music instruments. It is classified as a three stringed Japanese style plucked Lute. Tsugaru Shamisen is one of the most well known Shamisen in Japan. It has been evolved in northern part of Japan called “Tsugaru”. Tsugaru Shamisen has become a popular musical instruments and been used widely for many purposes such as provider of background music to contemporary songs or as a solo ensemble instrument. Because of its dynamic rhythm, Tsugaru Shamisen has now secured a position of popular musical instruments for everyone who loves music to play.

Sample pictures of Shamisen
  

Ippiki Takemoto (Percussionist of the concert)

Ippiki Takemoto studied percussion at Instituto Superior de Arte de la Habana before beginning his career in Bahia, Brazil. Since returning to Japan in 1996, he has toured and recorded with a wide variety of musicians.