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Shunsuke Kimura & Etsuro Ono

 

Shunsuke Kimura and Etsuro Ono are virtuoso musicians and trailblazing innovators on the Tsugaru-shamisen and Shinobue (Japanese transverse bamboo flute). They have taken the dynamic, semi-improvised traditions of their homeland and propelled them into exciting new directions. Their unique blend of traditional pieces and contemporary material merges original folk sounds with Western influences, including soul and blues rhythms.

Formed in 2009, the duo quickly gained recognition after performing at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, Malaysia, in 2010, captivating an audience of thousands. Since then, they have performed at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide, including WOMAD UK, FMM Sines in Portugal, WOMEX 2011 official showcase in Copenhagen, the Forde Folk Music Festival in Norway, WOMAD in Adelaide and New Zealand, Les Suds de Arles and Festival Île-de-France in France, the Masala Festival in Hanover , Germany, and the Museum Rietberg in Zurich, Switzerland. They have also been featured at the Festival Mawazine in Rabat, Morocco, and received high praise for their performances at WOMADelaide and WOMAD New Zealand .

Kimura & Ono have continued to captivate audiences with their highly acclaimed performances across Europe, including a successful three-week tour through Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 2024, they were invited to perform  at Kings Place in London,  The Japanese Cultural Institute Cologne, and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with great acclaim.

The duo’s music seamlessly incorporates the melodies and rhythms of Japan’s traditional folk music, celebrated for centuries. It reflects the voice of nature, the changing seasons, and the beauty of the landscape, with delicate nuances of musical color and texture. Their performances resonate deeply, touching hearts and souls in a universal and timeless way.

Kimura & Ono are regularly featured in major media outlets, including BBC Radio 3, WDR, and Australia Network, which described their work as: “Shunsuke Kimura and Etsuro Ono have breathed new life into the music of the tsugaru-shamisen” (Australia Network).

 

 

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Shunsuke Kimura has traveled extensively across Japan, immersing himself in the diverse melodies, rhythms, and styles of carnival and folk music, which he has seamlessly integrated into his own compositions. His melodies are haunting, marked by an ethereal serenity. His works evoke a deep sense of nostalgia, capturing the poetic imagery of nature, landscapes, and the changing seasons through delicate nuances of color and sound.

Shunsuke has led performances at renowned international events, including the Sense of Wonder World Environmental Film Festival. He was commissioned to write the music and lyrics for AMATERASU, a special theatre project created for the 25th anniversary of Kodo, the world-renowned taiko group. Featuring kabuki star Bando Tamasaburo in the female role, the production was met with great success, culminating in additional performances at the Kabuki-za Theatre in Tokyo. Shunsuke also composed music for the contemporary kabuki dance performance Ouna, a collaboration with the distinguished kabuki dancer Hanayagi Tsurusuga, and poetry by Suzue Miuchi, author of the popular manga Galasu no Kamen. His works have recently been featured in NHK’s Geijutsu Gekijo, and he is a lecturer at both the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.

Etsuro Ono is a distinguished performer of the Tsugaru-Shamisen, a traditional three-string banjo from Japan. As a composer and arranger, Etsuro continually explores new dimensions of the Tsugaru-Shamisen’s powerful rhythm and sound.

Raised in Akita, a region known for its folk music, Etsuro moved to Tsugaru to study under the famous Tsugaru-Shamisen master Chisato Yamada. After completing his studies, Etsuro was awarded prizes at the prestigious national Tsugaru-Shamisen competition in Hirosaki. He is also a core member of the acclaimed folklore theatre company Warabiza, whose international tours have earned critical acclaim. In 2014, Etsuro released his debut album 9 STORIES, which blends original innovative compositions with traditional pieces, featuring guest folk singers Sachie Sato and Shunsuke Kimura.

About Tsugaru Shamisen
The Tsugaru-shamisen has its roots in the Tsugaru region of northern Japan, where it was originally played by blind musicians who traveled from village to village, performing in front of people’s houses to earn their living. By the mid-19th century, Tsugaru-shamisen was primarily used as background music for folk singers. Over time, however, it evolved into a cherished solo and ensemble instrument.

As a solo instrument, the Tsugaru-shamisen demands extraordinary skill, including rapid playing techniques, a deep sense of rhythmic dynamics, and the ability to improvise—much like jazz. Its dynamic, powerful tones are balanced with a soulful, sensitive expressiveness that captures the listener’s heart. Today, the Tsugaru-shamisen continues to captivate audiences across Japan, and its unique sound has found a new, enthusiastic following among the younger generation, ensuring its vibrant future.