Enka singer Ryusei (22), who has been in his sixth year since his debut as a student of Enka star singer Hosokawa Takashi on June 26, 2019 at the age of 16, made his seventh single, “Tsugaru Shamisen Monogatari” by Nippon Columbia on February 19th, praying for a hit and singing offering at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo on the 18th.
Saisei is a “three sword-style singer” who controls singing, Tsugaru shamisen and shakuhachi, and is also active in the “7th generation of enka”, but the new song will be written and composed by Yoshi Ikuzo, a singer who represents Tsugaru, who is also a ally of his master, Hosokawa Takashi. This is a compelling work that depicts the protagonist, who leaves his hometown with a Tsugaru shamisen, playing the shamisen, thinking of his parents who have left his home town.
After praying for a hit at the worship hall of Hanazono Shrine, also known as the “God of Entertainment,” the song was given at the Kagura Hall in the grounds. As not only the press were watching, but also the general public, both Japanese and foreign visitors, he greeted the audience, saying, “I am filled with gratitude for the many people who gathered. I will be singing with great energy until the end, so I look forward to your continued support.”
He sang five songs passionately, including his debut song “Ginjiro Tabigarasu”, his past trajectory (single releases) in medleys, including his medley of his past trajectory (single releases): “Kusukake Dochu”, “Bogo Ryutoizaki”, and “Ote!”, his special folk songs, “Yosarebushi”, his second single, “Tsugaru Shamisen Solo Tabi”, and his new song “Tsugaru Shamisen Monogatari.”
The Tsugaru shamisen medley was also played by Hosokawa Keita, Hosokawa Takayoshi, and Saisei’s solo, and at the end, the three of them performed, and the impressive performance also attracted the attention of many audiences.
After finishing the song, she smiled and said, “I was particularly happy that foreigners were able to stop listening to it. I’ve always wanted foreigners to listen to it, so today there was a singer who was wearing a kimono and playing shamisen, so I think I was able to remember it and achieve one good result. I hope that using this experience as a source of energy, I will do my best to share it with people of my generation as well as people around the world.”
He was forced to sing Yoshi Ikuzo’s works, and was very impressed, saying, “Yoshi Ikuzo said, “I hope I can write Ayao-kun’s song someday,” which came true just before the 10th anniversary, so I’m really happy that my long-awaited dream came true. When I listened to Yoshi’s temporary song, it was such a cool song that I thought it was Yoshi’s new song, not my own, so I’ve never been so happy to have come across this song.”
His master, Hosokawa Takashi, told me, “It’s nice to sing while standing. Instead of singing melody, you should understand poetry well and sing words carefully,” and he said, “I want to sing these teachings with cherishment.”
June will mark his seventh year of debut this June, and as he said, “I can’t believe it went by in a flash. We’ve been in the COVID-19 pandemic for two or a half years, and I’m sure everyone has been having a hard time, but thanks to everyone’s support, I’m now in my sixth year, and this June will be my seventh year. I’m so grateful that I was able to offer the song in front of many fans, including my fans, and as I said in my heart during the prayer, I hope to continue to do my best and sing with the desire to become the nation’s number one singer.”
Tsugaru Shamisen Tale
Released 2025/02/19 COCA-18270 ¥1,500 (price excluding tax: ¥1,364)
1. The Story of Tsugaru Shamisen
Poetry and composition/Yoshi Ikuzo Arrangement/Nishimura Shingo
2. Mogamigawa Funauta (Yamagata Prefecture Folk Song)
Arrangement/Saeki Ryo
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https://columbia.jp/artist-info/ryusei/discography/COCA-18270.html
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