The best of Japan: Classical Japanese musician wows audience

Japanese traditional and contemporary musician Sumie Kaneko performs at PNCA

ISLAMABAD: The Japanese Embassy organised a musical evening featuring Japanese traditional and contemporary musician Sumie Kaneko at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Saturday evening. Sumie Kaneko, who currently resides in New York City, flew to Pakistan on the request of Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata.

Giving Kaneko’s introduction, Inomata shed light upon traditional Japanese music and made a short speech, addressing the tragic Gilgit crash incident.

“We lost our friends in a deeply tragic incident just 15 days ago. However, they will forever live in our minds and it is now time for us to move forward with the power of music,” he said.

Kaneko, who was dressed gracefully in a traditional Kimono dress, with her hair pulled neatly in a bun, sat on a stool and started off the evening with playing the Shamisen, a three stringed instrument made with animal skin, rosewood and ivory.

Next, she played the Koto, a long flat instrument that rested on two chairs. Kaneko began playing the Koto at the tender age of five and has perfected the art over time. She gained her formal education in music from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music after which she studied Jazz vocals at Berklee College of Music.

Kaneko has given several music workshops at Harvard and Princeton university.

“It is my first time in Pakistan and I am honoured to play here. People here are so friendly and the food is great,” she said.

She sang classical Japanese music as she played the instrument. Each song tells an old mythical story, for example the Sagi-Minimay is the story of a Heron-Maiden who is angry and sad because she cannot be with her lover who is human.

Another song, which was played on the Koto was about the beauty of the Sakura tree — how it blossoms flower petals during spring that slowly fall down in the fall.

Kaneko also performed a fusion piece with Ejaz Sheikh, a tabla player, which became more relatable and enjoyable for local audiences.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2015.