🇬🇧Mitsunobamboo Shinobue Ensemble - Foyer do Mundo

Last January, we presented a concert with the shinobue ensemble Mitsuno Bamboo, dedicated to the Japanese flute.

I founded this ensemble two years ago with Miriam, a flutist who had participated in a shinobue workshop, and Itsumi, a baroque flutist of Japanese origin. The formation evolves depending on the projects: for this concert, we performed with Chiamo, who had played the shinobue in her youth.

Mitsunobamboo

The shinobue ensemble is not an old traditional formation. Ensembles of another Japanese flute, the shakuhachi, developed mainly after the Second World War, a period during which several composers began writing new works for different combinations of Japanese instruments.

Bringing several shinobue together creates a very particular sound world and allows the development of textures and colors that are unusual not only in Japanese music, but also in a broader musical context.

Our approach follows this dual direction: exploring new sonic possibilities while remaining deeply connected to tradition. Our repertoire therefore includes contemporary works written for this type of ensemble, as well as traditional and popular Japanese songs adapted for this formation.

I personally make some of these transcriptions, adapting both folk songs and more contemporary songs, particularly for my students. This helps create an accessible and living repertoire that naturally connects tradition with present-day musical practice.

We perform in various formations throughout the concert. The core of the program is presented by the shinobue ensemble itself, while other pieces combine the shinobue with Japanese instruments such as the koto, or explore the dialogue between the Western concert flute and the Japanese flute.

general rehearsal

During this concert in Meise, we also presented a kimono dressing demonstration. This moment allowed the audience to discover an important aspect of Japanese culture, explaining the different stages and elements involved in wearing this traditional garment.

Kimono démonstration

New year event at Yokosuka Port Market ▶︎