I am often asked why I chose the harmonica out of all the instruments available. I think I was about 13 years old when I first heard a chromatic harmonica being played. The crystal-clear tone was so beautiful that I wanted to touch it. It wasn’t until much later that I realised how unusual it was to play classical music on this instrument. It belonged to no other musical discipline, no other musical history. It can be both free and lonely at the same time.
It has been a long time since I first collaborated with a sho player, and it was through this connection that I acquired the instrument. Now, I am fortunate enough to be able to take lessons on the instrument.
Since its arrival in Japan from the continent, the shō has evolved into a unique instrument in Japan that has been handed down for over a thousand years. It is remarkably similar in structure to my instrument.
I blow into the sho for the first time. The “sound” that must have been in my memory for a long time overflows.
It was like I had met someone new but somehow very dear to me.