First Week in Chicago

By Shigeyo Henriquez

Agatsuma and his ensemble arrived in Chicago on Monday, April 5th. After an 11-hour long flight and a 14-hour time difference, it was not easy to adjust. Having a full day of rest on Tuesday helped to make the adjustments and prepare the group for their first concert of the tour on Wednesday.

The first concert was well attended at Old Town School of Folk Music. The show started with Agatsuma’s tsugaru-jamisen. Tsugaru-jamisen is recognized by its percussive quality (the plectrum striking the body of the instrument on each stroke). The audience was captivated by the music and Agatsuma’s rapid hand movements.

Taiko drums demand physical strength. The powerful sounds of Taiko roared the concert hall like thunder. Piano solo by Nozaki, his childhood memories of public bath is the title of this piece and his touch was light yet powerful and quite moving. All artists exhibited fabulous talent and their interaction with the crowd was quite humorous.

Murray Language Academy, a Chicago public school from the South side, participated in the school concert. When Agatsuma said “good morning” to the students and their answers were “Ohayo”. How cool!

Stay tuned for: A thorough review of the Chicago concert at Old Town School of Folk Music, and updates from the next tour stop in Marquette, Michigan!

The musicians arrived in Chicago after an 11-hour flight. Photo by Shigeyo Henriquez.

Performance at the Murray Language School in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Shigeyo Henriquez.