Winner of the 4th Asia World Music Award

The Charm of Shō Presented by Master Miyata Mayumi

Miyata Mayumi is a master of shō, a wind instrument that can be said as a historical relative of saenghwang - a traditional Korean musical instrument. Born in Tokyo, she studied piano at university but was drawn to the charm of gagaku (court music) and the shō, leading her to embark on a new musical journey in her mid-20s. Since then, she has explored traditional genre-rooted music including gagaku, and also collaborated with various contemporary composers, including John Cage and Toru Takemitsu, showcasing her unique artistic vision across a broad genre spectrum.

Selected as the fourth recipient of the “Asia World Music Award” by the World Music Center Foundation, which collaborates with the Jeonju International Sori Festival, the master will present a one-hour solo performance following the award ceremony. This will be a rare opportunity to experience the unique charm of the shō, while exploring the musical landscape created by the master, which spans from gagaku to contemporary Japanese compositions.