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What is the Tsugaru Shamisen
World Cup?
Tsugaru Shamisen is a type of Shamisen (a three stringed traditional japanese instrument), which is used to play Shamisen Music. This particular type was started by travelling blind artists in the Tsugaru Area of Japan.
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 41th Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup 2023
41th Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup 2023 has ended.
| Competition Title | 41th Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup 2023 (Former title: Tsugaru Shamisen National Competition) |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3rd, 2023 (national holiday) – May 4th, 2023 (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 | 7000 Yen |
| Individual B Class | intermediate male and female players (No age limit) | 3 minutes or less | 7000 Yen |
| A Class with musical accompaniment | Male and female (no age limit) intermediate and advanced (recommended) players who can play the set piece (Tsugaru Yosare Bushi) with musical accompaniment. Simultaneous entry for B Class with musical accompaniment not possible | 1 minute or less, including tuning. | 7000 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. | 7000 Yen |
| Youth C Class | Male and female beginners between 16 and 39 years | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 7000 Yen |
| Middle C Class | Male and female beginners between 40 and 59 years | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 7000 Yen |
| Senior C Class | Male and female beginners of 60 years and above | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 7000 Yen |
| Junior C Class | Male and female beginners of 15 years and below | 2 minutes 30 seconds | 7000 Yen |
Entry Period
We would appreciate if you could wait for a while until the next information.
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
- Tokyo Station
- Plane
-
- Haneda Airport
1 hour 15 minutes by plane - Aomori Airport
55 minutes by bus - Hirosaki Station
- Haneda Airport