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What is the Tsugaru Shamisen
World Cup?
Shamisen is a three stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument, which are played with a plectrum. Shamisen has a distinctive playing style that produces a short, powerful sound.
The most famous shamisen is the Tsugaru- shamisen(jamisen).
It is said that the intense playing technique of Tsugaru Shamisen comes from an era when there were no microphones, to beat the singer’s voices volume, as well as to satisfy the audience. The vibrant and delicate deep tone color of Tsugaru Shamisen is a traditional art cultivated by Tsugaru Area’s natural features and history.
The Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup is a place where players of Tsugaru Shamisen not only from Japan, but from all over the world can compete over their playing skills while lettings the sound of the Shamisen, which has been passed on by its players and worshippers, ring in Tsugaru – its birthplace. While being preserved by history and tradition, the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup is continuously attempting something new. The competition is known as the gateway to success for the players, and for its audience and Tsugaru Shamisen fans from all over the world it is a place to come in touch with Tsugaru Shamisen.
Summary of 42th Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup 2024
| Competition Title |
42th Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup 2024 (Former title: Tsugaru Shamisen National Competition) |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3rd, 2024 (national holiday) – May 4th, 2024 (national holiday) |
| Time | 9am – Opening, 10am – Start of competition |
| Day 1 (May 3rd, 2023) |
Junior C Class, Senior C Class, Team competition, Middle C Class, B Class with musical accompaniment |
| Day 2 (May 4th, 2023) |
Youth C Class, Individual B Class, A Class with musical accompaniment, Individual A Class |
| Location |
Hirosaki Civic Hall(1-6 Shimoshiroganech?, Hirosaki, Aomori) – map |
Performance classes, performance time & participation fees
| Class | Requirements | Performance Time | Participation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual A Class | intermediate male and female players (No age limit) | 4 minutes or less | 8000 Yen |
| Individual B Class | intermediate male and female players (No age limit) | 3 minutes or less | 8000 Yen |
| A Class with musical accompaniment |
Male and female (no age limit) intermediate and advanced (recommended) players who can play the set piece (Tsugaru Ohara Bushi) with musical accompaniment. Simultaneous entry for B Class with musical accompaniment not possible |
1 minute or less, including tuning. | 8000 Yen |
| B Class with musical accompaniment |
Male and female (no age limit) beginners (recommended) who can play the set piece (Tsugaru Jonkara Shinbushi) with musical accompaniment. Simultaneous entry for A Class with musical accompaniment not possible |
1 minute or less, including tuning. | 8000 Yen |
| Youth C Class | Male and female beginners between 16 and 39 years | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 8000 Yen |
| Middle C Class | Male and female beginners between 40 and 59 years | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 8000 Yen |
| Senior C Class | Male and female beginners of 60 years and above | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 8000 Yen |
| Junior C Class | Male and female beginners of 15 years and below | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 8000 Yen |
Entry Period
Your entry must have arrived by March 20th 2024.
Access to the venue
Hirosaki Station to Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Civic Hall)
The competition is held during the Cherry Blossom Festival of
Hirosaki. The surroundings will be very crowded during that period.
- 30 minutes by feet
- 10 minutes by taxi
Tokyo to Hirosaki
- Train
-
- Tokyo Station 3 hours 20 minutes by Hayate Shinkansen
- Shin Aomori Station 30 minutes by Tsugaru Express
- Hirosaki Station
- Plane
-
- Haneda Airport 1 hour 15 minutes by plane
- Aomori Airport 55 minutes by bus
- Hirosaki Station