Mugen-Jyuku Performance Group Tour (Penang, Kuala Terengganu)
The Mugen-Jyuku performance group from Nagoya, Japan held a series of seminars and
performances in Penang and Kuala Terengganu in October and November to introduce the diversity
of Japanese arts and culture while creating friendship between Malaysian students and Japanese
performers. The troupe is a renowned traditional Japanese music performing group consisting of
more than 20 players of Shamisen, a three-string lute with a fingerboard and among them are six
teenage Shamisen players, accompanied by a Shakuhachi and Taiko drum player each.
Shamisen Seminar at Universiti Sains Malaysia
The first traditional Japanese music seminar held at Universiti Sains Malaysia on 31 October 2011
was attended by Japanese language students from Malay College Kuala Kangsar in Perak and USM students.
(Above L-R) Members explaining the history of Shamisen and students joining the dance on stage
(Below) Students trying to play the instruments with the guidance of the group members
The members of the group introduced the Shamisen, Shakuhachi and Shimedaiko and explained
about their histories. The students had a chance to play these musical instruments with the guidance
of the Mugen-Jyuku members. The troupe taught some simple steps of traditional Japanese dances
such as Soranbushi and Hanagasa-Ondo and danced together with the students.
The Mugen-Jyuku group also explained to the students about the types of Japanese traditional
Kimono such as Furisode, Houmongi, Yukata and Otokomono. Six students were invited to be models
and were taught how to wear Yukata. The Yukatas were then given to them as souvenirs.
Students trying on Yukata and showing the beautifully tied Obi
MUGENJYUKU Troupe Tour: Traditional Sounds of Shamisen
The concert, “Mugen-Jyuku Troupe Tour: Traditional Sounds of Shamisen” was held at Dewan
Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia on the evening of 31 October. The concert was attended by Tuan
Syed Yusof Syed Kechik, the Deputy Dean of School of Languages, Literacies and Translation,
Universiti Sains Malaysia and Mr. Tetsuro Kai, Consul-General of Japan.
The Shamisen, Taiko and Shakuhachi players
The concert started with a Shamisen Ensemble performing the Tsugaru Jonkara Rokudan followed by
renditions of Japanese folk songs from the Tohoku area of Japan such as Kase no Yakko Odori
(Aomori Prefecture), Kariboshi Kiri Uta (Miyazaki Prefecture), Esashi Magouta (Hokkaido Prefecture)
and Shin Souma Bushi (Fukushima Prefecture).
Two dancers from the Mugen-Jyuku group performed three traditional Japanese dances. Performers
from Dewan Budaya also presented a Malaysian dance during the concert.
Traditional Japanese dances
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Malaysian Dance by Dewan Budaya performers |
Bisikan Hati by the Mugen-Jyuku group and performers from USM |
A variation of Malaysian music was featured in the latter half of the concert and the Malaysian
performers collaborated with the Mugen-Jyuku group to play Bisikan Hati, a popular Malay song.
The concert ended with Tsugaru Jonkara Kyokubiki. The Mugen-Jyuku group gave a brilliant
performance with their lively and energetic sounds of Shamisen and received a thundering applause from the audience.
Mugen-Jyuku group thanking the audience for their applause
After performing in Kuala Lumpur, the Mugen-Jyuku group concluded its Malaysian tour with its final
concert at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in Kuala Terengganu on 2 November. The concert
was attended by Y.B. Dato’ Haji Abdul Ranin bin Mohd Said, the Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Arts
and Heritage Committee Chairman; and from UTM, by Prof. Dr. Noor Azhar bin Mohamed Shazili and
Prof. Dr. Yahaya bin Ibrahim, Deputy Vice Chancellors, as well as Prof. Madya Dr. Noraien Bt.
Mansor, Dean of Faculty of Social Development. More than 1500 people enjoyed the performance
and dance, Yukata wearing demonstration, and playing Japanese traditional music instruments.
Students, in particular, appreciated rare opportunities to see the live performance of Japanese traditional music and to touch those instruments.
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The crowd at the concert hall |
Mugen-Jyuku group ensemble |
The concerts were organized by the Consulate-General of Japan and Universiti Sains Malaysia in
Penang and, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu in Kuala Terengganu with the support from the Japan
Foundation.
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