Hogaku: New Sounds from Japan concert, Jan. 16, 2008

Cultural News, December 2007

The Hogaku concert will feature emerging Japanese traditional musicians on Wednesday, Jan 16. (Courtesy of the Japan Foundation)

   As a part of the continuing New Year’s celebration, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles presents “Hogaku: New Sounds from Japan” concert on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo. Tickets are $20.

   Sponsored by the Japan Foundation in Tokyo, the Hogaku concert will feature emerging music group Wariki and duo Goto & Obama.

   Hogaku (Traditional Japanese music) traces its root to the earliest stage of the Japan’s history. In that time, poetries and songs were not only entertainments but also tools of communication of the people. There were little distinction between poetries and songs.

     The Hogaku concert will highlight the root of Japanese music and contemporary forms of the traditional music.

     The Wariki consists of the traditionally trained Japanese folk musicians: Akira Katogi on taiko, Shunsuke Kimura on yokobue and tsugaru- jamisen, Etsuro Ono on tsugaru-jamisen and taiko, and Shingo Ikegami on koto. Katogi is also a dancer and performer. Goto & Obama are Yukihiro Goto playing Satsuma biwa and Akihito Obama blowing shakuhachi.

     Because the Hogaku concert will be their U.S. debut, these emerging artists are eager to bring innovative sounds with their high energy. They are also expected to exhibit a full range of mastery of their traditional Japanese music instruments.

     For tickets, call the Box Office at (213) 680-3700.