Sho Asano: Performing Arts and Empathy

2020/01/16

Since ancient times, performing arts have existed wherever people gather. I used to believe that the reason culture and performing arts attract people lay in the beauty and skill of expression. However, I now believe that the true nature of the center of a circle of people is the instinctive human function of "empathy" that occurs through the performing arts. Since I started thinking this way, I have come to love my "individuality" more. As a result, the sound I produce has changed, and I have been able to overcome technical barriers that I could not cross before.

Since my professional debut at the age of 17, my days have not always been pleasant. Especially until my mid-20s, I was constantly worried about what moving music was and whether my musicality was wrong. I think my desire for someone to "recognize me" was expressed too strongly. I went through a process of trial and error, thickening the skin of the shamisen and changing the material and size of the plectrum (bachi), yet I would still get depressed when things didn't go well, only to pull myself together again—those days continued until quite recently. However, now I have relaxed, the pressure is gone, and I have returned to the feeling I had when the shamisen was nothing but fun.

Folk songs (min'yo) are one of the musical genres inseparable from the Tsugaru Shamisen. At one time, folk songs were a huge hit throughout Japan. However, times have changed, and it is rare for today's youth to "empathize" with folk songs. Therefore, while continuing new challenges such as collaborations with jazz, pop, and folk arts from various countries, I want to develop folk songs into music that a wide range of generations can "empathize" with. Furthermore, I want to convey the original splendor of folk songs as a classical performing art, as well as the shamisen itself, not only to Japan but to the world.

As 2020 begins, the Tokyo Olympics will finally be held this year. Now that the world is focusing on Japan, one of my major themes over the past few years has been what kind of music and entertainment I, as someone involved in Japanese traditional performing arts, should—or rather, must—broadcast to the world. I want to make the shamisen a global instrument like the guitar, banjo, or violin.

I do not believe that countries, races, and cultures can be overcome so easily. However, I have a dream. "Music that all of humanity can empathize with"—this is my grand dream.