Hawaii Gagaku Kenkyukai

Gagaku, the court music of Japan, traces its history to the 9th century, and is considered one of the oldest continuously performed music traditions in the world. Gagaku includes instrumental music, vocal music, and dance.

Gagaku also has a long history in Hawai‘i. The music was first taught at UH Mānoa in 1962 by Masatoshi Shamoto, who in 1968 founded Hawai‘i Gagaku Kenkyukai, a community-based group dedicated to the study and performance of this ancient music tradition. He continues to direct the group.

This semester’s concert will include visiting musicians and dancers from Japan.

Rev. Masatoshi Shamoto, director