On Wednesday, December 3, the Tsugaru Shamisen Orchestra led by Mitsugu Oyama was held at Nakano ZERO Main Hall in Tokyo. The performance drew a large audience, including ambassadors and diplomats from 14 countries.
The evening’s program was spearheaded by the Oyama School (Oyama-Kai), founded in 1963 by Mitsuō Oyama—a seminal figure in the nationwide popularization of the Tsugaru shamisen. Today, the ensemble stands as one of Japan’s most accomplished artistic groups, performing both domestically and internationally, with its legacy clearly carried forward onstage.
The concert showcased a commanding ensemble of 25 performers from the Oyama School, alongside a special parent–child performance by Mitsugu Oyama, the second-generation head, and his successor, Yutaka Oyama. The evening broadened its musical landscape with a striking rendition of the Argentine tango classic “Libertango,” which was met with resounding applause. The program also featured folk songs from across Japan, enriched with vocals and traditional percussion. A highlight of the night came when dancer Soki Oyama swept into the hall, weaving through the aisles and transforming the atmosphere into one of festival-like exuberance.
Audience members expressed heartfelt praise and deep admiration for the dynamic power of the Tsugaru shamisen—many experiencing a full shamisen ensemble for the first time—and for the rich variety of traditional elements woven throughout the performance.
Min-On extends its sincere appreciation to all attendees and everyone involved in making this concert a success.
