ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Japan hosted an evening of traditional Japanese music followed by a dinner at the ambassador’s residence, which included a performance by renowned musician Sumie Kaneko.

Ambassador Takashi Kurai welcomed Sumei, who excels in Koto and Shamisen, on her second tour to Pakistan. He introduced her unique style of blending traditional and contemporary music to the guests.

“I find cultural events to be very important because they help in developing diplomatic links and also in building personal relations among attendees as well. Aesthetic and intellectual nourishment is essential for a healthy lifestyle and the number of people here today are proof that Pakistanis appreciate art and music, just like the Japanese,” he said.

Sumie played two pieces each on the two instruments and explained the history of the instruments and the context of the musical pieces she had selected.

The Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Pakistani Santoor or Swarmandal while the Shamisen is a three stringed instrument similar to the banjo. On each instrument, she played an instrumental piece and one where she sang along with the music.

Such was the depth and complexity of the music, that one guest said that if he closed his eyes, it was as if a whole band was playing.

During her current tour of Pakistan, Sumie will be performing in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

“It is wonderful to be able to meet and work with so many people. Last year, I collaborated with tabla and sitar players, which was a great experience and I will be performing with them again this year. I am sure we are going to create something of a higher level, which is extremely gratifying,” she said.

The artist added that she will also be visiting Mohenjo Daro which she said will be a “treat after all the performances”.

The artists said her mother was also a musician and had taken her to a Koto concert when she was young.

“I started private lessons immediately after. When I was 18, I got into the conservatory in Tokyo to study more of Japanese traditional music,” she said.

Sumie added that she would also listen to vocal jazz music during school and had wanted to be a singer, which was why she went to the US.

“It was a natural career progression for me, but was different musically. In the US, being creative is the most important thing. I knew I should establish my own music style and not just follow other musicians, which is how I came up with the idea of blending the two great art forms together. Traditional Japanese music has the beauty of forms and jazz music has the freedom of improvisation,” she explained.

Sumie has been recognised as a pioneer for her chromatic use of the Japanese instruments. She studied traditional music at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and studied Jazz vocal at the Berklee College of Music in 2006.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2016