“Erhu” is a Chinese traditional musical instrument with two bowed strings， known in the West as the “Chinese violin” or “Chinese two-string fiddle.” It is said that its origin dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907). After the foundation of the People’s Republic of China， the manufacture of the erhu， the playing techniques， the repertoire， as well as the musical education of this instrument， have undergone unprecedented development. The repertoire for this instrument has grown rapidly， including solo， ensemble and concerti with Chinese orchestra for playing both traditional and contemporary pieces. Erhu now has become one of the most popular instruments in China.

Maestro Wang Guotang is one of China’s most distinguished virtuosos on the “erhu” in the modern era， as well as an eminent music educator. Currently， he is the president of the Hong Kong Arts Center， the director of the Beijing Wang Guotong Erhu Arts Center， and at the same time， the dean of faculty at the China Central Conservatory in Beijing. He has completed countless recordings， performed numerous solos and with leading orchestras， written many erhu textbooks， and has also been invited to lecture in more than thirty countries around the world. He has made tremendous achievements in “developing a new style for erhu performances” and “setting an epoch-making milestone for the music world of erhu.”

On June 4 during his concert tour in Japan， he visited the Min-On Culture Center and Music Museum for the first time. Accompanying Maestro Wang was his son Ray Wong， also a versatile erhu artist， Chinese professors and his music students， who are currently studying abroad in Aichi Prefecture， Japan. In an informal conversation with Min-On President Hiroyasu Kobayashi， Maestro Wang remarked: “I have heard about the wonderful activities engaged by the Min-On Concert Association for many years， but today， I could actually visit here and learn about the Min-On’s founding principle and the history of its valuable cultural exchanges. Now， I admire the Min-On Concert Association even more.” President Kobayashi expressed his appreciation for the Maestro’s understanding of the Min-On Concert Association and requested the honor of presenting the “Min-On Art Award” to Maestro Wang Guotang. This award was unanimously approved by the Min-On’s Board of Directors for Maestro Wang’s unprecedented artistic achievement in the music world of erhu.

After the award presentation ceremony， the guests viewed the collection of classic pianos and musical instruments， and enjoyed listening to the sounds of those precious antique instruments in the Min-On Music Museum. While touring the Museum， the Chinese students visiting with Maestro Wang sang the song “Mother，” which was written by Min-On’s founder Dr. Ikeda， as their expression of friendship and gratitude