Osaka Tin
Osaka Tin
My friend, guitarist Brian Hughes, toured with the Chieftain’s in Japan as an opening act with Loreena McKennitt. He then went on to perform with the Chieftains in North America and Europe when they were promoting their album Santiago. In Japan they played about ten shows between Tokyo and Osaka, mainly at soft seat classical concert halls. The seating ranged from 1500 to 4000 capacity. They were booked through the agent Plankton who specializes in Celtic music. Although the audiences were enthusiastic Brian felt that Celtic music was still a niche market in Japan.
Celtic Music and Traditional Japanese Music: A Comparison
If you listen to many of the traditional Japanese folk melodies they have a bittersweet quality that is similar to traditional Celtic music. The Japanese minor pentatonic scale is different from the western one but some phrases especially when they go into the major could easily be bits of Irish or Scottish folk songs. If you look at the traditional transverse folk flute the shinobue, it is really not that different from the fife, or Irish flute in terms of fingering. The technique of sliding and taping with the whistle or the shinobue are also similar.
Where to Find Celtic Music in Japan
The major labels in Japan all have Celtic music under license and CDs are available as imports. A reputable distributor of Irish music in Japan is a company called Music Plant. I think they probably are affiliated with Plankton. JVC (Japan Victor Corporation) directly signed the group ANAM. They have recorded two albums for JVC and have toured Japan three times. A talented young musician from England, Tim Edey who played button accordion on my latest album Celtic Heartland just joined the group recently. There was a company in Tokyo called Trinity who was specializing in importing traditional Celtic CDs but I am not sure they are still in operation. Brian Cullen an Irishman from Wicklow now living in Nagoya has his own label for marketing his own material called Celtic Otter music and he has published collections of ballads.
There is a Celtic festival held annually in Tokyo at Ryutsu Center. They have music and dance performances, fashion shows, arts and crafts exhibitions and seminars and workshops.
There is an organization called CCE Japan that provides lessons for most Irish instruments as well as Set Dance and Gaelic. CCE Japan is the Japanese branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an association for promoting
Japanese Musicians Specializing in Irish Instruments
There are some quite accomplished Japanese Celtic musicians. Isao Moriyasu, who began as a classical recorder player, now specializes in Irish flutes. He lectures at Kunitachi Music College and has written a book on Irish music. He often performs with his wife Masako who plays Celtic harp, concertina and bodhran. Mayumi Nagaura who is a member of The Rising Pints, also has her own group called BIRD. She is a really good accordion, tin whistle and bodhran player. She has encouraged many other Japanese to learn Irish instruments.
Western Celtic Musicians in Japan
There are a few musicians who have formed groups with foreign and Japanese members. Examples include the Rising Pints and the now defunct Eye Wish as well as a group in Sendai called Callanish.
The Pub Circuit in Japan
There are many Irish pubs in Japan such as Dubliners, O’Carolan’s, The Pint, The Warrior Celt, Shamrock that regularly have music. Irish pubs all have regular sessions as well. Because rent is at a premium particularly in the major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Kyoto the venues are smaller than you would expect in America or Europe. Like many jazz clubs in this country the capacity ranges from as little as 50 to 200 comfortably. Brian Cullen reports that the Osaka Dubliners claims to have had 600 customers on a St. Patrick’s day a few years ago. I would say that must be the maximum and that is after a few pints. Westerners are usually surprised by the amount of the cover charges. Generally to see a band a 3000 yen cover charge is pretty typical. CD prices are still about 2500 yen as well.
While Celtic artists are not household names like major rock stars, the interest in Celtic music is likely to continue to grow in Japan for some time to come.
© 2005 Ron Korb – All Rights Reserved
Reprint Rights: Ezine and magazine publishers may reprint this article, as long as the following information is included:
- the summary about the author (see below)
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- all key words above the links below are included as part of the active link when you publish it on your site
Ron Korb is a Toronto based, flutist and composer. His music blends jazz and world music (including Celtic and Japanese music) together to create a truly original sound. Ron plays a number of Irish flutes including the penny whistle and the low whistle. He has 2 Celtic Music CDs (Celtic Heartland and Celtic Quest). A number of Ron’s other CDs have Celtic music selections including Flute Traveller, Behind the Mask, and Ron Korb Live. Ron has also been a guest artist on a number of Celtic CDs, including Bruce Mitchell’s Celtic Destiny, Mychael and Jeff Danna’s Celtic Romance and a Celtic Tale.
Official Web Site for Ron Korb, Flutist and Composer,
Japanese Music, Jazz, Celtic Music: http://www.ronkorb.com
Ron Korb Fan Page http://www.ronkorb.com/fanpage.html
Ron Korb Music Catalogue http://www.ronkorb.com/mucat.html
How much money is a Tin Age Collection 10th anniversary novelty robot wind-up toy worth?
It’s made by Osaka Toy Institute in 1999, is about 8 centimeters tall, and has a #28 on its “belt” along with some japanese text I can’t read.
$90
YUSEI SHONEN Space Prince Planet OSAKA Tin Age BILLIKEN Shokai Vintage Tin Toy with BOX
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ROBBY the ROBOT Osaka Tin Toy Japan Forbidden Planet and Lost in Space $385.00 |
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1997 Osaka Tin Toy Star Wars C-3PO Wind-Up Robot w/ Certificate of Authenticity $150.00 |
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BILLIKEN TIN JIMMY SPARKS TETSUJIN 28 GIGANTOR WIND UP OSAKA TOY MINT $284.95 |
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Wind-up Billiken Shokai Shotaro ~ Jimmy Sparks ~Osaka Tin NIB~RAY ROHR Estate $69.95 |
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Osaka Tin Astronaut Robot $450.00 |
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Osaka Tin Toy Institute 2003 catalog ~ Ray Rohr Cosmic Artifacts Estate $9.95 |
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OSAKA TIN AGE DAIHATSU MIDGET DKA TYPE TIN TOY BLUE $280.00 |
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OSAKA THE TIN AGE DAIHATSU MIDGET DKA TYPE TIN GREEN $280.00 |
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OSAKA TIN AGE DAIHATSU MIDGET DKA TYPE SHIN TETSUJIN 28 $360.00 |
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OSAKA TIN AGE DAIHATSU MIDGET DKA TYPE SHIN TETSUJIN 28 $360.00 |
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Robby the Robot Tin Toy Japan Mint Boxed Osaka Tin Toy Sale $425.00 |
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POPY Billiken OSAKA machinder MAZINGER Z ROBOT Tin TOY $380.00 |
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ASTRO BOY ATOM OSAKA TIN TOY INSTITUTE LIMITED RARE $809.10 |
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TIN AGE ASTRONAUT OSAKA TIN TOY LIMITED EDITION W BOX $650.00 |
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ROBBY the ROBOT Osaka tin Forbidden Planet 1993 Battery Japan Lost in Space Rare $395.00 |
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Battle of the Warriors $2.87 Set in 370 B.C., this thrilling historical drama from China follows the valiant crusade of a lone warrior (Andy Lau) who comes to the defense of a city-state under siege by a vicious warlord. Can a fighter renowned for his defensive tactics emerge victorious when outnumbered and facing impossible odds of success? Lavish adventure co-stars Sung-kee Ahn, Zhiwen Wang. 133 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); … |
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R-1 ROBOT – Battery Operated Tin Metal Robot w/ Bump’n Go Action from ROCKET USA * ROBOT ONE * $38.99 R-1 ROBOT – Battery Operated Tin Metal Robot w/ Bump’n Go Action from ROCKET USA * ROBOT ONE * Large 12½” tall! All gray tin skirted battery operated R-1 Robot! Flashing eyes and dome! Robot One (R-1) from Rocket USA is a rare reproduction robot inspired by the famous “Gang of Five” by Masudaya of Japan. R-1 was produced in several styles by Rocket USA, but they are now discontinued and sold ou… |
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ROCKET BOWLING GAME * Classic Tin Action Toy * ROCKET USA $22.00 ROCKET BOWLING GAME * Classic Tin Action Toy * ROCKET USA. Hit a strike every time with the Rocket Bowling Game! Made of all tin material, the bowling lane and bowler feature colors and graphics that are sure to take you back some years. Ready in his bowling position, the bowler’s arm catches on the release lever and when released, the arm swings forward and sends the bowling ball flying down the … |
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