Okinawa Tale of the Heike 2024 Cast Profile
●Makiko Sakurai (Shirabyoshi, Shomyo)
He studied the Ryuteki flute with Shiba Sukeyasu and Tendai Ohara-ryu Shomyo with Nakayama Genshin. In 1997, after seeing Lady Eboshi in "Princess Mononoke," he began restoring the Shirabyoshi dance. He mastered the Gagaku dance of Left Mai and the Indonesian dance "Slimpi," and conducted on-site research on medieval dances across Japan, creating choreography for Shirabyoshi songs. He has performed in the past 20 years with pieces such as "Bintatara," "Mizu no Enkyoku," "Horaizan," and "Kaikotsu." Since 2007, he has presented original Noh pieces such as "Manhattan Oji," "Tachibana no Oya," and "Kishibe no Daijin." In 2019, he will present the hyper Noh pieces "Okinawa Heike Monogatari," "Suiren," and "Throwing Stones."
Makiko Club https://www.mari-pla.me/makikoclub
Homepage http://www.zipangu.com/sakurai/
● Yoshimatsu Akira (singing and dancing)
While working as a stage actor, he learned Kita-ryu chanting and dance from Professor Richard Emmert.
He has interpreted Noh chants and dances in a modern way and adapted them for the stage. His works include "The Prostitute of Pattaya" and "The Little Match Girl."
She has participated in the Music Poetry Drama Institute's performances in Tokyo, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and South Korea, performing chants and dances.
●Taku Sato (conductor/singer)
Graduated from Waseda University's School of Letters, Arts and Sciences. While a student, he served as student conductor of the glee club. After graduation, he traveled to Italy to study vocal music under Maria G. Munari. He was a former member of the World Youth Choir and Japan's representative. While working as an ensemble singer and choir conductor, he is also involved in the practice and research of Japanese and international folk songs and folk singing. He is a member of the vocal ensemble Kayo-ki, The Cygnus Vocal Octet, Salicus Kammerchor, and Japan Chamber Choir. He is also a conductor of the Tokyo Inamon Glee Club, the Japan-Latvian Music Association Choir "Gaisma," and the choir Baltu. He is also the leader of the Tsunetami troupe Bikkindaz and a trainer for the special vocal choir Koeda Ir.
Official website: http://contakus.com/
● Takahide Kobayashi ( voice performer )
She studied Tendai Shomyo under Makiko Sakurai and special vocalization under Kotaro Tokuhisa.
After being a vocalist in a hardcore band, he is currently active as a member of the chanting group GENSHIN1130 and the noise unit sentimental hardware. He combines Buddhist music and noise music. He strives to embody a spirit that transcends boundaries, fluctuating between stillness and movement.
● Makoto Kurachi (ukulele)
A ukulele performer and instructor living in Aichi Prefecture (NHK Culture Nagoya Sakae, etc.). He has released three ukulele solo CDs, including original songs written on the Big Island of Hawaii. His soft singing voice and falsetto are distinctive. He loves nature and music.
