Opening Performance: Tsugaru Shamisen by Sho Asano
SHO ASANO
Born in Sendai, Japan, Sho Asano began his musical journey at the age of three on the Japanese drum, later picking up the Tsugaru Shamisen at age five. He trained under Sangen Odashimaryu Tokuo Odashima II and became the youngest performer at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Convention at just seven years old—later earning multiple top honors.
A
Born in Sendai, Japan, Sho Asano began his musical journey at the age of three on the Japanese drum, later picking up the Tsugaru Shamisen at age five. He trained under Sangen Odashimaryu Tokuo Odashima II and became the youngest performer at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Convention at just seven years old—later earning multiple top honors.
A graduate of Keio University, Asano is deeply committed to preserving and sharing traditional Japanese music. As a recognized cultural ambassador, he has participated in national initiatives such as the “Nippon Takaramono Project” and “Beyond 2020,” promoting Japanese heritage through music and performance.
When and where
When and where
Friday, September 12th, 2:30 p.m.
MIX Center Theater 201
Friday, September 12th, 6:45 p.m.
MIX Lobby
Opening Performance: Shakuhachi by You Jin
Yu-Jin Seisui
Based in Phoenix, AZ, Yu-Jin Seisui got interested in Shakuhachi over 20 years ago. Since 2003, he has been studying various styles of music with several teachers. In 2015, Yu-Jin became a member of the Myoan-Ji (明暗寺) Zen Temple (Kyoto, Japan), and received the name Soku-Shin (息心) from his teacher. Since 2023, Yu-Jin has been studying to
Based in Phoenix, AZ, Yu-Jin Seisui got interested in Shakuhachi over 20 years ago. Since 2003, he has been studying various styles of music with several teachers. In 2015, Yu-Jin became a member of the Myoan-Ji (明暗寺) Zen Temple (Kyoto, Japan), and received the name Soku-Shin (息心) from his teacher. Since 2023, Yu-Jin has been studying to receive teaching certification from Myoan-Ji under the name Seisui (清水). The ceremony is scheduled at the temple in Kyoto for November 2025.
*Shakuhachi is a Japanese bamboo flute, which came into Japan with Buddhism many centuries ago. It had been used strictly as a Buddhist practice instrument until the end of the 19th Century, when it was given a status of a folk instrument. Nowadays, Shakuhachi can be heard in meditation music, new age music, movies and even Jazz and Blues.
When and where
When and where
Saturday, September 13th, 9:30 a.m.
MIX Center Theater 201
Master of Sogetsu Ikebana, Ping Wei
Ping Wei Sogetsu Ikebana Artist
Sogetsu Teacher’s Association, Komon
Ikebana, the Japanese floral art, lends me ideas and tools of creating in other art forms. Based on the principle of simplicity, the three elements of ikebana, line, mass and color, are universal in
other art disciplines. From organic, botanical materials to inorganic, abstract lines and masses, the end results of ikebana has to return to organic, harmonic one.
When and where
When and where
Saturday, September 13th, 11:30 a.m.
MIX Center Theater 201
Preceded by the short film "YURI"