Japanese Lute Master Yoko Hiraoka Apr. 22

Story posted April 17, 2009

Yoko_SUN.jpg

Japanese lute (biwa) master Yoko Hiraoka will give a lecture/recital that will illuminate the history of medieval Japan at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall.

The Biwa is an ancient lute-like string instrument from Japan that has been used for centuries to recount stories from medieval times with themes of love, hardship, epic battles and the evanescence of life.

Many of these stories are collected together in "The Tale of Heike," an account of the amours, battles and tragedies suffered by two warring clans, the Minamoto and Taira clans of 12th-century Japan. Epic conflagrations by the sea, ghost stories, or the tragic deaths of doomed warriors are common themes, often expounded with references to Buddhist notions such as the impermanence of life. The influence of these stories on Japanese culture can be seen even today, in contemporary anime themes.

This event is illustrated with projected images of scenes from "The Tale of Heike." Hiraoka will perform four of the classic biwa compositions, bringing the tale to life as it has been done for centuries, with singing voice and a dynamic and expressive biwa accompaniment.

Librettos of all the sung pieces will be provided to the audience in both English and phonetic Japanese.

Yoko Hiraoka is a senior master performer of Biwa, Koto, Shamisen and Jiuta voice. She is a native of Kyoto, Japan, and studied classical and modern koto and shamisen music from an early age. She studied Chikuzen five-string Biwa for many years with Kõka Suga, the head of Kõmyõji-ryû Chikuzen Biwa, and direct disciple of Yamazaki Kyokusui, the Living National Treasure.

The recital is open to the public and admission is free. It is sponsored by the Blythe Bickel Edwards Fund, the Asian Studies Program, and the departments of Music and History. For more information call 725-3046.

« Back | « Go to Featured Events | Go to Events Calendar