About the Instructor

Nice to meet you. My name is Hidesaki Honjō (本條秀咲).
I was born in Kaō Town, Yamaga City, in the Year of the Horse.
Influenced by my grandparents, I became fond of period dramas and devoted myself to deciphering old manuscripts at university.
When I went on a short-term study abroad trip to Thailand, I was shocked by my inability to answer questions about Japan.
I returned home without pursuing job hunting and, by chance, became a temporary staff member in the office of the Yamaga Lantern Dance Preservation Society. I joined the society as a dancer.

During my time with the society, there was a call for participants to march while playing shamisen at the Yamaga Onsen Festival. I thought, "Why not give it a try?" and that was my first step into this world. At that time, I met my mentor, Ms. Hidemi Honjō, who was instructing the society in classical jikata (shamisen, singing, flute, and percussion). Twenty years have since passed.

At our classes, we emphasize the fundamentals—handling the shamisen, posture, how to hold the bachi (pick), and other basics—because “the beginning is crucial.” Once you learn how to read sheet music, the goal is to be able to play songs you’ve never heard before.

At recitals and other events, we perform wearing kimonos. It’s a great opportunity to learn about and practice wearing kimono. Performing together in an ensemble gives a strong sense of accomplishment.

Everyone, why not start playing the shamisen, one of Japan's traditional cultural arts?