
Ryujin is a group that performs
music that is representative of the Japanese classical tradition.
The different Japanese classical
instruments -- Tsugaru-Shamisen, Wadaiko, Shakuhachi, and Koto--were
traditionaly confined to separate genres. Originally Tsugaru-Shamisen
provided musical accompaniment to vocal performances or as a free-form
improvisational instrument. The Wadaiko was developed to drum
out praise of the earth to the heavens. Shakuhachi was originally
played by Buddhist monks to symbolize coming in and out of awareness.
The Koto has a very long history in Japan--when you hear the sound
of the Koto you think of Japan. There are lots of groups that
use one or another of the traditional Japanese instruments, but
RYUJIN is perhaps the only group that uses these four instruments
in combination.
Numerous appearances on stage have
shaped the skill, sound, and feelings of these four artists and
enabled them to get the most out of each instrument's character.
Our aim is to create a new sound, ridding traditional instruments
of their crusty image while taking care to keep the important
elements of tradition.
RYUJIN is musicians who seek, by
speaking through and playing with the sound of their respective
instruments, to create a new Japanese sound. The music born of
that endeavor is warm, lively, gentle and beautiful...but more
importantly, traditional music that can be enjoyed in a fresh
way - that's what Ryujin hopes to accomplish.
RYUJIN member profiles