Next Stage

Last weekend, the sisters played a small part in an all day concert in Sendai with their group. Next they will perform by themselves in Yamagata, Sagae city. The performance information has been updated in their stage schedule on the right. Click on the stage and you can see the time and map with a web link. They are looking forward to playing in Yamagata again.

Backstage break

In between performances,the sisters take a lunch box break.

Stage

The sisters are playing in Sendai at Tohoku Denryoku Hall at a big concert. They will have to change into different Kimono.

Sensei

Kyla and Brenna are seen here being taught by their teacher in Sendai.

Roppongi Hills

The three sisters played in Tokyo at Roppongi Hills for an American company (GE) function. They went and came back in one day and just made the bullet train with 10 minutes to spare at Tokyo station. They played with their friend "Katsu" who played the conga drums along with a few of the songs. There will be some additional photos in the "photo" page of the event. Please look!

On the way

The sisters ride the bullet train on the way to a performance in Tokyo for GE.It's HOT!

Zao Stage

The sisters finished a very enjoyable Summer Festival stage in Yamagata today. A famous drummer, Hisao Anabuki, played after them and the sisters enjoyed listening to him. Everyone really supported and cheered the sisters as they played each song.

Drums

The sisters played at a local festival along with Hisao Anabuki.He is a well known drummer.

Cases for travel

To be able to travel with a tsugaru shamisen, you need a variety of cases. The main one is a hard long case that protects the instrument. But it is rather awkard and heavy to haul long distances. So, for longer trips, you need a smaller case. The small black one (on the left) can hold the shamisen after it is broken down into three parts. This is rather tricky & takes some practice. The third case (middle) is a soft case with shoulder strap which is convenient if you have to carry it for a long time. The blue and yellow case contains one of the sister's Kimonos and obis with other accessories that they need for a stage.

Sendai practice

The sisters are practicing here for a stage with their shamisen group. They must frequently be driven about 1.5 hours one way to these practicesand lessons.

taking a break

Kyla takes a short break while "moby" looks on. The sisters have two labrador retrievers. They sometimes rest their heads on one of the sisters legs while they are practicing. The loud sound of a tsugaru shamisen doesn't seem to bother them at all.

Group practice

The sisters dislike to be photographed at night when they are practicing but here is a typical practice at night when homework and dinner are finished. They are working on a playing better as a trio and on playing a variety of songs.