Hiromitsu Agatsuma has practiced the ancient Japanese art of Tsugaru-Shamisen since the age of six, going on to win the 1988 All-Japan Tsugaru-Shamisen Competition at the tender age of 14. Known throughout the world as simply Agatsuma, this original artist has long infused the traditional sound of the shamisen-a long-necked, three-stringed, lute-like instrument-with present day, international musical influences, including blues, rock, dance music, folk, flamenco and funk. His latest release, EN, is no different. EN, which can variably mean relationship, circle or festival, is an apt name for the album, itself a festival of sound, comprising the varied influences Agatsuma has been exposed to over the years, while touring around the world, sharing his love for the traditions of Japanese music with an international audience. Further, Agatsuma's aim with this music is to bring people together, to bridge disparate cultures and to find common ground between them, much the way he has blended the sound of ancient Japanese music with the varied influences of today's contemporary music scene. The circle is completed with this collection of new material, which showcases Agatsuma's mastery of his old world instrument, alongside his expansive, encompassing musical vision.
"The 14-year-old winner of the 1988 All-Japan Tsugaru-Shamisen Competition, began his studies of the instrument at the age of six. For several more years, the young artist continued to develop his talents and for two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996 was awarded the prestigious top prize in the Tsuguru-Shamisen National Competition held in Hirosaki, Japan. Receiving high acclaim in Hogaku (traditional Japanese music) inspired Agatsuma to continue exploring the unique qualities of the Tsugaru-Shamisen, and in turn, his own musical specialty.
Agatsuma's playing and technique pulls off complex runs with ridiculous ease, able to shift in feel from funky to meditative with great ease. Allmusic.com
Thanks to Agatsuma, the Shamisen craze that has been sweeping Japan's youth for several years is on its way to becoming a global phenomenon. Fusing the soul and softly plaintive twang of traditional Tsugaru-shamisen with an informed mastery of contemporary Western musical idioms, Agatsuma's US debut release in 2003, Beams, was a landmark in the East-meets-West appeal of the art form that the New York Post called ""unusually exotic, yet familiar at the same time.""
