Founder / SokeMitsuou Oyama
Founded Oyama-kai and helped spread the art of the Tsugaru-Shamisen all over Japan. The pioneer figure in popularizing the Tsugaru-Shamisen.
Born in 1930 in Oaza Oyama, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Started to practice the Tsugaru-Shamisen at a young age with his father’s old instrument.
Trained under Eisei Igarashi for two years, and later the first master Rinshoei Kida. Performed as a regular accompanist in the To-o Nippo Press Min-yo Competition.
Participated in various recordings such as the Tsugaru Zacho Competition in the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions.
Brief history
- 1958
- Moved to Tokyo alone.
- 1959
- Performed as a special guest accompanist for the Nihon Min-yo Society.
Recorded several hundred pieces of music not only from Min-yo but also from popular music.
- 1963
- Founded Mitsuei-kai.
Invented the ensemble style of Tsugaru-Shamisen, which, until then, was considered an individual performing art, and then inspired new potentials for the genre.
- 1965
- Performed the first min-yo ensemble piece in the Nihon Kyodo Min-yo Society Competition.
Since a band performance was rare at that time, it resonated as a breath of fresh air for the Society.
It is not an overstatement that this performance changed the course of Tsugaru-Shamisen.
Today, an ensemble is played by as many as 500 players.Oyama-kai ensembles are highly acknowledged for their powerful yet delicate qualities.
- 1980
- Incorporated Nichibu (Japanese traditional dance) into the Tsugaru-Shamisen ensemble.
Participated in the Ball Banquet of Cultural Exchange Program between Japan and Hong Kong.
- 1981
- Received the Distinguished Service Award by the Nihon Kyodo Min-yo Society for his contributions in popularizing the Tsugaru-Shamisen ensemble.
- 1982
- Performed for Bangkok’s Bicentennial Celebration on the Invitation of the International Cultural Association. Received the Distinguished Service Award by the Nihon Min-yo Society for the achievements of launching and innovating the Tsugaru-Shamisen ensemble.
- 1984
- Performed at the Festival in Nice ’84 at the request of the City of Nice, France.
- 1985
- Hosted Mitsugu Oyama: Forty Years of Hardships, an anniversary event commemorating his forty-year career.
Performed the ensemble “Bokyo Jongara” at the Japan Record Awards. Organized a joint ensemble with a flamenco dancer, and released a Tsugaru-Shamisen variation played on Chinese flute and Erhu, both making the headlines.
- 1987
- His eldest son succeeded the Grand Master of Mitsugu. Changed his name to Mitsuou.
- 1989
- Received the Technique Award by the Nihon Kyodo Min-yo Society for the excellent ingenuity of the Tsugaru-Shamisen.
- 2009
- Hosted a commemorative concert on the 45th anniversary of the organization.
To this date, won the Nihon Kyodo Min-yo Society Competition Ensemble Category twenty times; Received the Minister Awards and major newspaper awards.
Many of his students have become established Tsugaru-Shamisen players and have been active in various fields.
