Jamaicans were given a rare treat when the Embassy of Japan collaborated with Church Teachers’ Collage to present two days of traditional Japanese music by hosting the Shamisen & Japanese Folk Music Concert.

The London-based musicians, Hibiki Ichikawa and Akari Mochizuki, performed for a receptive local audience — their first time in Jamaica and any Caribbean country.

“It was an honour to be here to perform and I didn’t expect this kind of warm reaction to traditional Japanese folk music,” Ichikawa told the Jamaica Observer at the final event of their tour held at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Hall, Kingston.

His words were echoed by Mochizuki.

“It was amazing that people responded to the Japanese chanting together when I told them how to say the words. Everyone here was so open, very friendly, and I love the Jamaican hospitality,” she added.

The Japanese duo put on an entertaining and educational show for all in attendance.

Ichikawa, the only professional Shaminsen player in Europe, plays the 500-year-old Japanese Tsugaru Shaminsen, a three-stringed instrument from Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s main island. Mochizuki, provided vocals in the traditional Japanese Enka style.

The concert seized the opportunity to teach the audience about the history of the instrument and Japanese folk music, explaining that the Shaminsen was originally from China, and it evolved in use and size as it made its way through the country spawning several iterations, including the version that Ichikawa played.

Ichikawa demonstrated the basic notes and elements necessary to play the Shaminsen, eventually performing a freestyled original tune for his Jamaican audience and showing some European influence with an Irish-infused song,
Clover Steps.

“It was a great pleasure for me and the Embassy of Japan to hold Shaminsen concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, and the 50th year of initiation of Japan/Caricom discussion,” said Yasuhiro Atsumi, Japanese ambassador to Jamaica.

The concert was part of the yearlong celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica.