Tsugaru Shamisen Virtuoso HANA Releases New YouTube Video After Four Months
HANA, the acclaimed Tsugaru Shamisen artist, has just dropped a new YouTube video after a four-month hiatus. This time, she’s giving us a stunning shamisen cover of Creepy Nuts’ hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born.”
HANA often replies to comments on her YouTube videos. She responds to international fans in English and other languages, so don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and feedback!
2024 has been a whirlwind for HANA, packed with performances. She kicked off the year with a bang at the “GMO SONIC 2024” at Saitama Super Arena in January. February saw her at the Wadaiko Festa Winter Festival, followed by the Takara Matsuri Soran Team’s 20th Anniversary Event in March. She even performed at three different halls in Estonia. April kept her busy with the Kobe Festival, and amidst all these major events, she found time for school performances across Japan.
For fans who can’t catch her live, these occasional video uploads are a real treat.
HANA’s skills have been recognized worldwide, having won international competitions. Her repertoire spans traditional Japanese music to rock and J-pop covers, showing her incredible versatility. Besides Estonia, she’s performed in New York and Taiwan. We’re all eagerly hoping she’ll soon bring the enchanting sounds of her Tsugaru Shamisen to more international stages.
Artist Profile: Tsugaru Shamisen Performer HANA
Born on November 5, 2000, in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Influenced by her grandmother, a grand master of the Fujimoto-ryu Shamisen school of Japanese folk music, HANA began her journey with the Fujimoto-ryu Shamisen. At the age of 13, she was captivated by the Tsugaru Shamisen and made the switch. By 15, she was studying under the master Nobuto Yamanaka. In 2020, she was given the professional title Yamanaka Shinna under the Yamanaka school. HANA has won numerous awards at the Tsugaru Shamisen national competitions.
She finds joy in moving her audience, which fuels her passion and drives her activities. Based in Osaka, HANA actively participates in community events and frequently performs at various events.
Major Activities and Awards
2023
- 11th Tsugaru Shamisen and Tsugaru Folk Song National Competition in Biwa Lake
- Champion in the designated singing and shamisen accompaniment category
2022
- Performed at the Global Gift GALA in Tokyo 2022
2021
- 9th Tsugaru Shamisen and Tsugaru Folk Song National Competition in Biwa Lake
- Champion in the general women’s category
- 1st National Jonkara Shamisen Competition in Ishikawa
- Runner-up in the general women’s category
- 39th Tsugaru Shamisen World Competition
- Runner-up in the individual B-class category
2020
- Awarded the Cultural Meritorious Person Award by the City of Shijonawate for the city’s 50th anniversary
2018
- 37th Tsugaru Shamisen World Competition
- Champion in the singing and shamisen accompaniment B-class category
- Champion in the youth C-class category
- Received the Cultural Encouragement Award from the City of Shijonawate
- Represented Japan at the Xin Gang International Music Festival (Taiwan performance)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hana_iida_/
tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hana_shami
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