Rakugo x Classical Music!
~Rediscover the Charm of Japanese Songs and Words~

Yanagitate Ichiba: Rakugo and singing

He is a master of classical rakugo, a traditional tradition in the mainstream of rakugo. He is renowned for his wide range of art, from humorous stories inherited from Kosan V (a Living National Treasure) to musical and emotional stories incorporating the shamisen. His year-end performances of the familiar "Kaketori Banzai," the classic "Nekochu," and his sonorous boat song "Sanjukoku" are unrivaled.
He is also a professional singer who has released original CDs. He is a member of the Japan Singers Association and has appeared in the association's "Song Festival." He has performed with Hiroshi Itsuki and Mitsuko Nakamura on "Jinsei Uta ga Aru" (There Are Songs in Life) (BS Asahi). The "Showa Kayo Concert" is held annually, following the wishes of the late Danshi Tatekawa. This year marks its 18th anniversary. He served as
the Rakugo Association's president from 2014 to 2024 (currently an advisor). He received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize in 2020 (71st). In 2025, he was awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal.

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Masanori Kato: Composer and producer

He graduated with honors from the Department of Composition at Tokyo University of the Arts and completed his graduate studies there.
His wide-ranging works include opera, orchestral, vocal, and choral music, and he has provided music for many soloists. He is also highly regarded as a collaborative pianist and is well-known for his imaginative arrangements. He has also attracted attention for his production skills, planning performances and classical music courses from a unique perspective. In 2017, he released the CD "PIANO COLOURS" (Avex Classics). Since April 2016, he has been a personality on NHK-FM's "Keyboard Wings," serving as Resident Producer at Nagano City Art Museum (2019-2023), and will serve as a Music Ambassador for Hirashin Hiratsuka Cultural Arts Hall from April 2022.

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Fujiwara Dozan: Shakuhachi

studied under the first Yamamoto Hozan (a Living National Treasure). He graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music, Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and completed his graduate studies at the same university's Graduate School of Music.
He is the recipient of the 71st Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize in 2020 (Reiwa 2), the 5th Hattori Shinji Music Award

, and other awards. In addition to performing and researching traditional music, he is also involved in a wide range of activities, including group activities
such as "KOBUDO - Kobudo -" and the shakuhachi ensemble "Fuga Takein," He is currently a member of the Tozanryu Shakuhachi Association, a public interest incorporated foundation, and a Chikurinken Grand Master. He presides over the Tozanryu Dozankai, a member of the Japan Sankyoku Association, a
public interest incorporated association, and a musical advisor to the Ikuta School Koto Yayoi-kai. He is Vice President and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and a Bihoro Tourism and Product Ambassador (Hokkaido).

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Satoshi Kitamura: Bandoneon

He has performed at festivals around the world. In 2011, he joined the Asia Band of Pablo Ziegler, former pianist of the Astor Piazzolla Quintet. In 2021, he participated in the Japan premiere of Piazzolla's "Sinfonia Buenos Aires" with Ryota Komatsu. He has performed with Izumi Tateno, Mutsumi Hatano, Daisuke Suzuki, Mika & Richard Stoltzman, Ikuko Kawai, Asuka Murray, EGO-WRAPPIN', the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. He has participated in numerous recordings, including the NHK Taiga drama "Aoi Ten o Tsuke" and the film "Masquerade Night." He is currently active with orchestras such as Naoki Kita Quartet and Shintaro Saegusa's Orquesta de la Esperanza.

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Eri Unoki: Soprano

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. After completing graduate school at the same university and the Nikikai Opera Studio, she studied in Milan on an Italian government scholarship. She has appeared in Tokyo Nikikai's "Cosi fan tutte" as Despina, "Olympia" in "The Tales of Hoffmann," "Gretel" in "Hansel and Gretel" at Nissay Theatre, "Papagena" in "The Magic Flute" at the New National Theatre, and "Fiacamilli" in "Arabella." She has also appeared in many media programs, including TV Asahi's "Untitled Concert 21" and BS Premium's "Classic Club." She is also actively involved in outreach activities and educational programs across the country. She is a part-time lecturer at Toho Gakuen School of Music and Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. She is a member of the Nikikai.

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Toru Nishijima: double bass

Born in Tokyo in 1973. Focusing on jazz and Argentine tango, he has supported many artists, including Chie Ayado, Lisa Ono, Carmen Maki, Ryota Komatsu, Taro Hakase, and Pablo Ziegler. In 2014, he released the album "El retratador" with pianist Masaki Hayashi, and in 2018, he released his solo bass album "Phenomenology." In 2021, he released the album "Star Rowers" with the group Remboato, featuring Kazuma Fujimoto (guitar), Sumire Kuribayashi (piano), and Shinya Fukumori (drums). In 2024, he released the album "Yukeki Toki" as his own leader project, with Kanon Aonami (sax) and Fumi Endo (piano).

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Ota Sono: Shamisen