A Musical Enigma: Traditional Japanese Music in Modern Toronto

The Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre recently hosted an evening of traditional Japanese music by Tsugaru Jyamisen, a group led by Ichikawa Chikujyo. As a classical musician with limited knowledge of non-Western musical traditions, I attended the concert to learn and appreciate the musical styles. Unfortunately, the performance lacked contextual information and attempts to engage the audience, leaving the uninitiated to wonder about the complexities of the music. Despite this, the lead female vocalist, Ichikawa Chiyomi, delivered captivating solos that showcased her impressive vocal skills.

Key Takeaways:

• The concert by Tsugaru Jyamisen, led by Ichikawa Chikujyo, was a traditional Japanese ensemble that showcased the shamisen/jyamisen, a three-stringed instrument from the Aomori province.
• The group's music was a mix of vocal and instrumental numbers, with a focus on strong unison playing and percussive sounds produced by the large plectrum used to pluck the strings.
• The lead female vocalist, Ichikawa Chiyomi, delivered remarkable solos with micro-ornamentation and a unique nasal chest sound reminiscent of the Bulgarian women's choirs.
• The ensemble's traditional repertoire was refreshing, departing from the Western pop influences of the Chikurin Shoja Band, who performed at the Music Gallery last season.
• Unfortunately, the lack of contextual information and attempts to engage the audience made it difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate the musical traditions represented.
• Ichikawa Chikujyo's "requests" segment, where she sang a folk song from a specific region in Japan in response to audience members' requests, was a unique and engaging aspect of the performance.

Statistics:

• The concert was held at the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre, a Toronto-based organization fostering cultural exchange between Japan and Canada.
• The tsugaru jyamisen is a traditional Japanese instrument originating from the Aomori province, also known as the shamisen in other parts of Japan.
• Ichikawa Chiyomi's vocal solos included a unique blend of micro-ornamentation and a nasal chest sound, which was a new experience for this classical musician.
• The concert raised funds for the Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre, supporting the preservation and promotion of Japanese culture in Canada.

Sources:

• The Japanese-Canadian Cultural Centre
• The Music Gallery (as referenced in the article)