Delivering Traditional Japanese Music across Generations and Borders: The Seven-Member Ensemble behind Wagakki de GHIBLI

First-Ever Performance at a World Heritage Site and Major League Baseball Stadium

AUN J leader Inoue Ryohei and his twin brother Kohei dove head-first into the legendary wadaiko (traditional drums) group Ondekoza when they were 18 years old. For the next 12 years, they performed across all the states in the USA, including in Carnegie Hall in New York, before the twins established an independent unit called AUN when they were 30 years old. It was around this time that Ryohei's daughter was born.

He said, "I wanted my daughter to listen to wagakki music. I wanted her to know that this is the music her father plays."

In that case, he thought she would be familiar with music from the Ghibli animation films. If he was going to do this, he wanted to form an ensemble with top-of-the-class wagakki musicians. He reached out and five musicians responded, and together they established the seven-member AUN J CLASSIC ORCHESTRA.

The CD they released, Wagakki de GHIBLI, was a great hit both in Japan and abroad. At the time, an ensemble comprised of seven types of wagakki was unprecedented, and the tunes they created were an exquisite fit to the worldview of the Ghibli films.

This success led to them holding the world's first-ever live performance in France's World Heritage Site, the Mont-Saint-Michel, in June 2010.

"It was a huge challenge and we were very nervous, not knowing how wagakki music would be received abroad and whether the audience would be moved by it."

The result was a standing ovation. From the next year on, they began to hold annual live performance tours at World Heritage Sites in countries such as Italy and the USA. In 2014, they were invited to Fenway Park, home to Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, as the first-ever Japanese musicians to perform the American national anthem before the game. The performance was followed by waves of applause and loud cheers.

"Music Has a Nationality beyond Borders"

"After a performance in a certain country, the Japanese ambassador there came to us and said, 'We've been working hard for decades to get the people of this country to like Japan, and you accomplished it in one evening. Everyone is saying it was a fantastic performance.' Getting to like other countries is extremely important and spreading that feeling leads to peace. Our experience that evening taught us our work has meaning." Ryohei said.

Yamano, too, reflected on the event and said, "We believe music is able to transcend differences in language and culture to create a common ground. The experiences we gain overseas come alive in our music, which we then deliver to audiences in Japan. In this way, we hope our experiences and music create a cycle between Japan and the world."

"Music has a nationality beyond borders" is a theme that the members of AUN J always keep in mind and value when performing overseas. A lot of their original music is inspired by subjects unique to Japan, like cherry blossoms and the old capitals, and many pieces are modern arrangements of folk and nursery songs. On the other hand, they also perform wagakki arrangements of hit songs by Michael Jackson, classical masterpieces and Japanese anime songs. Yamano explained what they place an importance on when composing, selecting and arranging music.

"We believe the entryway that gets people to listen to wagakki, and realize how interesting and attractive they are, is very important. We want audiences to grow familiar with and enjoy wagakki through songs that they know, and then immerse themselves in the emotionally moving and joyful experiences lying beyond the entryway."

ONE ASIA JOINT CONCERT in Shinjuku

Among their numerous overseas performances, one in particular stands out vividly in their memories: ONE ASIA JOINT CONCERT, performed together with traditional ethnic instrument musicians from various ASEAN countries. Beginning with a performance in front of Cambodia's World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, the ensemble toured 10 ASEAN countries over six years. In October 2017, newly joined by traditional ethnic instrument musicians from East Asia, the group held a final stage in Shinjuku Central Park, across from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. For the concert's finale, the 36 members performed "Symphony No. 9" by Beethoven.

Ryohei said, "The ensemble members, who came together gradually over six years from across Asia, all had different languages, foods and cultures. After thinking long and hard about a commonality that could bring us all together as one, we came up with the theme of 'hometown.' By thinking of our homes and putting those fond feelings into music, we hoped to convey something to the people listening. I believe the concert, packed with such emotions from all the musicians, turned into a wonderful performance."

Going forward, AUN J hopes to actively collaborate with musicians not only in Asia but also around the world. They have particularly strong desires to perform with Taylor Swift, the overwhelmingly popular 14-times Grammy Award winner, and Metallica, a hugely popular US heavy metal band to this day with nine Grammy Awards.

"Everyone loves Metallica and many of our original pieces were inspired by them," said Ryohei.

Lastly, we asked what they find particularly attractive about Tokyo as members of AUN J who have traveled the world.

Ryohei replied, "The diversity and beauty of foods for sure! You can find delicious foods from all over the world here like French, Italian and Chinese in addition to the Japanese cuisine that our country boasts. What's more, the streets aren't littered with garbage! After traveling to many different countries, I really feel that this is true Tokyo quality."

ONE ASIA JOINT CONCERT