The main concert of the International Shakuhachi Festival Prague 2025 will feature the Japanese all-star ensemble The Shakuhachi 5.

The concert presents a unique opportunity to experience Japanese music in its purest form. The Shakuhachi 5 ensemble, comprising five exceptional shakuhachi players—Akihito Obama, Kizan Kawamura, Reison Kuroda, Akihisa Kominato, and Kenichi Tajima—will showcase a diverse range of Japanese musical traditions and experimental works. Each of these masters represents a distinct movement and school of shakuhachi, enriching the ensemble’s compositions with depth and variety.

In Japanese music, the concept of ma is fundamental. It refers not only to the physical space between performers and listeners but also to the space within musical expression. This “empty space,” crucial for the perception of music, shapes the atmosphere and dynamics of any musical piece. The Shakuhachi 5 skillfully incorporates this space, crafting unique compositions that invite listeners to experience both the sounds and the silences between them.

The concert will feature compositions commissioned specifically for The Shakuhachi 5, created by internationally acclaimed composers whose works are rarely performed in the Czech Republic.

The program offers a captivating insight into contemporary Japanese music, blending traditional instruments with modern compositional techniques. The evening will also include a new audiovisual piece by Miroslav Srnka and filmmaker Marek Matvia, created exclusively for The Shakuhachi 5. Inspired by Ukiyo-e woodblock prints from the National Gallery in Prague’s collection, the piece will transport the audience into the world of Japanese art and its connection to music. This project is part of a larger international series featuring new audiovisual works in New York, Tokyo, and Prague.

Since its inception, The Shakuhachi 5 has garnered significant attention from Japanese music critics. The ensemble aims not only to push the boundaries of shakuhachi performance but also to collaborate with leading composers representing Japanese music on the global stage. This concert offers a rare chance to experience modern Japanese music that continues to evolve while maintaining a profound dialogue with tradition.

PROGRAM

Kannon Anatomy
Comp. Misato Mochizuki (2023, 14‘)*
European premiere
Choreography
Comp. Nozomu Kaneda (2022, 9‘)*
European premiere
Shape of Wind
Comp. Ryo Dainobu (2024, 9‘)*
European premiere

Ryo, 15‘
Hōzan Yamamoto (1980)
European premiere
—-intermission—
<NEW COMPOSITION>, 10’
Comp. Miroslav Srnka (2025)*
Video Marek Matvija (2025)*
World premiere
Five
Comp. John Cage (1988, 5′)
Sarasoju
Comp. Akira Nishimura (2021, 14‘)*
European premiere