Since its founding in 1965, Matsutoyo Kai (led by Matsutoyo Sato) has dedicated itself to the promotion and preservation of traditional Japanese folk music.
On Sunday, June 1, at 12 noon, the organization will hold an Osarai Kai titled “Japanese Folk Music and Dance” at the Ken Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W. 162nd St., Gardena, where students will showcase the results of their year-long practice.
To celebrate the group’s 60th anniversary in a festive manner, guest artists will be featured, including Kahou Satokaze, head of the Japanese folk dance school Satokaze Kai, visiting from Japan, and local performers Hidesomi Bando and Hiromiya Bando of the Bando School of Japanese classical dance.
More than 40 performers will take the stage, presenting 38 folk songs from various regions across Japan. Each student will perform a piece of their choice, either playing instruments alone or singing while accompanying themselves.
Matsutoyo Sato commented, “This is an opportunity for our students to present the fruits of a year’s dedicated training in front of a large audience. Even if they make mistakes, I hope they’ll show how much they’ve improved.”
Kahou Satokaze, appearing under her stage name Tayafumi Mochizuki as a drum and percussion artist, has participated in the event for several years in the past alongside her husband, Shohei Naruse, a renowned enka and folk singer.
Matsutoyo Sato, initially unaware of Satokaze’s background as a dancer, sought her advice out of concern for the decline of Japanese cultural arts in the area, as many local dance instructors had retired or passed away. Satokaze then revealed her 40-year career in Japanese folk dance, during which she had toured throughout Japan and appeared on both NHK and commercial TV programs.
Moved by Matsutoyo Sato’s passion to keep Japanese traditional culture alive, Satokaze readily agreed to help, saying, “I’d be delighted to support you.” Last year, she provided instruction to 15 students of Matsutoyo Kai and five members of Team Kawachi Ondo.
These students will perform for the first time at this year’s recital, presenting dances to “Yoheho Bushi” from Yamaga, Kumamoto, “Sado Okesa,” and “Donpan Bushi.” Satokaze herself will perform “Ecchu Owara Bushi,” a folk song from Toyama Prefecture.
Matsutoyo Sato emphasized the unique appeal of Japanese folk music, saying, “It’s something that speaks to both the eyes and ears.” She explained that folk performance is composed of a triad of singing, instrumental accompaniment (such as shamisen, drums, shakuhachi, fue, and kane), and dance — and noted that “the dance element is particularly essential.”
She plans to establish a local group dedicated to the Satokaze School of traditional Japanese dance and expressed her ambition: “I want to pass down the traditional dances of various regions of Japan here in the United States.”
Tickets for the recital are $25, including a bento lunch and bottled water ($23 if purchased in advance). They can be ordered through the Matsutoyo Kai website (https://matsutoyokai.org/).
For inquiries, contact Marisa Kosugi at (310) 400-4707.