Tokyo Ondo

Artist Profile

• ONi ONiGiRiES

  ONiONiGiRiES is a six-member band that performs traditional Japanese folk music, "Minyō." ONiONiGiRiES was founded in 2023 as a Japanese band that promotes Minyō not only in Japan but also to the world, with the desire to prevent traditional Japanese culture from becoming obsolete. The band is made up of six members: shamisen, flute, violin, cajon, piano, and vocals (tap dance). The leader, Tsugaru shamisen player Gakuto Chiba, is currently a Ph.D. student majoring in ethnomusicology. In 2014, he won the youngest award (he was a high school freshman at the time) at the shamisen division of the National Folk Song and Dance Competition. The band debuted in 2023 with artists from Tokyo University of the Arts, one of the leading music universities in Japan, led by shamisen champion Chiba. Their music production, which broke out after their unplugged performances, was well received and caught the eye of Tetsuya Sato, former head producer of MTV Unplugged in Japan, who is currently creating music with him as sound director. ONiONiGiRiES has been listening to folk music since their childhood, and they believe that Minyō (indigenous music) can be a bridge to world peace. [ONiONiGiRiES] Gakuto Chiba (Shamisen / Ph.D. Student at Keio University) Mako Ito (Flute / Graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts) Ayaka Nishino (Violin / Graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts) Minoru Matsumoto (Cajon / Graduate of Toho Gakuen College of Arts) Sakurako Nakamura (Vocals / Graduate of Showa University of Music) Seishiro Irie (Piano, Arrangement / Graduate of Keio University)

  Artist page

  •