Profile of Japanese instrumentalists

Motoko Watanabe（shakuhachi player）

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in shakuhachi and a master's degree from the same university. She received the Acanthus Music Award in 2010. Completed the 54th term of the NHK Traditional Japanese Music Technicians Training Program. Participated in the 21st Youth International Art Festival in Russia. While studying the classics, she pursues the possibilities and appeal of the shakuhachi in the modern age, and vigorously premieres new works.

Jun Akaru（shinobue player）

Graduated from Gakushuin University, Faculty of Letters, Department of History, and studied Gagaku and Kabuki music while in school. She completed the 50th term of the NHK Traditional Japanese Music Technicians Training Program, and completed a separate course in traditional Japanese music at Tokyo University of the Arts. She belongs to Nippon Music Group. In addition to performing, she has been arranging works by her great-grandfather, Ryutaro Hirota (Hamachidori, Haruyokoi, etc.) for Japanese instruments.

Honoka Asami（koto player）

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. She completed the 55th term of the NHK Traditional Music Teachers Training Program, and was concert mistress at the graduation concert held at the NHK Hall. Passed NHK Japanese music audition. Appeared on NHK-FM's "Hogaku no Hitotoki" and "Hogaku Hyakuban". 2018 "Society of Living National Treasures" performance. Lecturer at NHK Bunka Center Chiba Class. She is a Miyagi-sha Shihan (instructor).