Sound Clip (600K)
(Gale) Let the soul of RYUJIN ride the wind and reverberate through the heavens.
	Sound Clip (995K)
(Go Forth) Thundering drums, blowing, strumming... Waging war with instruments of yore, the resounding battle field, go forth!

Seeking a new world of sound with the instruments of yesterday, Ryujin brings together Tsugaru Shamisen, Wadaiko, Shakuhachi, and Koto.
Kodai Fukui, using his body as an instrument, Tsugaru Shamisen beats out the sound of his soul. Mituaki Sugawara, channeling his energy through the drumsticks, the sound of Wadaiko reverberates in space. Mamoru Katouno, the Shakuhachi player, breathes his inner emotions into a stock of bamboo and releases them into the ether. Tenyo Fukui, powerful yet delicate shamisen player (only on HAYATE).

One of Japan's most representative intruments, Tsugaru Shamisen is close to the hearts of many people whatever their age or muscial preferences. Recently they are ever more chances to hear Tsugaru Shamisen on TV and radio.
Public schools in Japan have evinced renewed appreciation for the Shamisen as a traditonal instrument and have began to teach the instrument as part of mucial education.
As for why Tsugaru Shamisen has gained such wide acceptance, one can only guess that people are attracted by the special sound of the instrument. Like the blues and jazz, Tsugaru Shamisen performance is audience interactive and improvisational.
The sound, which goes straight to your heart, was born of Tsugaru's (Aomori-ken) harsh climate and history. The blind musicians of Tsugaru went door to door playing music for handouts. Originally played as backing for vocal performers, the instrument eventually established its independence as a solo instrument.

This book is designed for those who want to start from the beginning.

Tsugarushamisen is a difficult instrument to learn. First of all, one must master the basics, and continue by studying the folk music of Tsugaru.
Shamisen is improvisational by nature, features unique rhythms, difficult picking techniques, and an unfamiliar scale, not amenable to representation in scores. There are various schools of Tsugaru Shamisen; each school has its own unique traditions. Depending on what you are familiar with, this book might strike you as different.