Ayako Handa (Nagauta)

Ayako Handa (Nagauta) was born in Tokyo where learned the art from her mother, the leader of Nagauta family. Ayako Handa mastered the Shamisen technique through the teaching of Sumi Kineya and Nagauta from Tetsuo Miyata, considered today a “Living National Treasure”. In 2007 graduated from theTokyo University of Arts (TUA), within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. The graduation day performed in front of the Imperial Royal Family at the Imperial Palace Plaza. In 2008 became a member of Nagauta Touon Association and in 2011 was given the name of Kion Aya. In July 2013 performed at the Japan Festival in Germany invited by the Japan Club and Consul General Muenchen.

Kiho Manabe (Nakauta)

Kiho Manabe (Nakauta) was born in Germany and studied at the Futaba High School. Later, graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department and finished the master’s degree at TUA. Kiho Manabe has learned from two great masters: Kayoko Ishikawa and Tarou Yamaguchi. During the student years at TUA received the prize of Hide Nakatsune. On the graduation day she received the honor of performing in front of the Imperial Royal Family at the Imperial Palace Plaza. Participated in the event of Nihonbashi, special event by Tamasaburo Bandou she is also a member of Nagauta Association.

Maiko Sakata (Shamisen)

Maiko Sakata (Shamisen) was born in Saitama prefecture and has performed Nagauta Shamisen ever since she was 8 years old. Later, became a student of Keiko Tajima and Rikuko Ohtsuka. In 2010 graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. While still in school, she received the prize of Tsunehide. Maiko Sakata also received the honor of performing in front of the Imperial Royal Family at the Imperial Palace Plaza traditional music hall, Ouka. In 2011 received the prestigious award in the field of new player contest of the traditional Japanese music in Ichikawa city, Chiba Prefecture Member of Nagauta Touon Association.

Sakurako Sato (Shamisen)

Sakurako Sato (Shamisen) was born in Fuji City, Shizuoka Pref. From 3 years old learned Shamisen from the late master, Yosahichi Kineya. In 2011 graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department.
Sakurako Sato received various prizes: the Joukan, the Acanthus and the Doukeikai, as a new player. In 2013 finished the master’s degree at TUA graduating and receiving the award of the graduate school Acanthus. Was given a special award at the 25th new traditional Japanese music player contest held in Ichikawa city, Chiba Prefecture, in 2012. Member of the Nagauta Touon Association works also as assistant of the lesson at Hitachi Music College. Holds a training school at Imaizumi, Fuji city, Shizuoka Prefecture and in Ohtuka , Tokyo.

Mayu Abe (small drum)

Mayu Abe (small drum) was born in Tokyo. From young age, learned Tsuzumi (drum) from her mother and from the second master of small Japanese hand drum, Tsuzumi, Suesaei Mochizuki. In 2010 graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. She received several prizes: the Ataka, the Acanthus music and the one as new player of Douseikai, TUA. She also received the honor of performing in front of the Imperial Royal Family at the Imperial Palace Plaza. Mayu Abefinished the master’s degree of music research at TUA graduating in 2012. Learned Shamisen from the late Gosaburou Kineya and mastered the Nougaku court-music from Masahiro Sowa. At present she plays an active role as a member of the traditional Japanese music orchestra which is exploring more modern repertoire; plays concerts in the traditional style such as the traditional Japanese dancing, the concert of Nagauta and Koto and she is playing an active part in many field of music performances.

Mikako Mochizuki (Drum)

Mikako Mochizuki (Drum) was born in Tokyo. Learned the court music from Sayuki Tanaka and Youko Mochizuki. Through the high school of the TUA entered, in 2007, into the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. During the years at the university received the prize of Tsunehide. Entered into the master course of music research section at the TUA where later graduate and then, in 2013, entered the doctor course where is still studying today. Mikako Ogawa received the prize of the excellent new player of the 25th Ichikawa Culture Development Association.

Mikiho Mochizuki (Cross flute)

Mikiho Mochizuki (Cross flute) was born in Saitama prefecture. At the age of 13 entered the local cross-flute school where learned the cross-flute technique from the master Takiho Mochizuki and Misaho Mochizuki. Mikiko Mochizuki graduated from the high school of the Tokyo University of Arts and later from the TUA within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. At present passionately performs the traditional Japanese music not only in Japan but also in Beijing, China, every year.

Dancer

Mikifuu Hanayagi (Dance)

Mikifuu Hanayagi (Dance). Learned the Japanese dance from the late Yoshiki Hanayagi ( Living National Treasure), Junankai Hanayagi (Living National Treasure). Graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts, within the Traditional Japanese Music Department. In 2008 finished the master’s degree course of TUA and finished the doctor course of music (Japanese Dance) in 2011. In 2006 received the third prize of the Soule International Dance contest, ethnic department (woman) while in 2007 the second prize of the same festival. In 2008 got the first prize of Himeji festival, dance competition. Head of Japanese traditional dance association, KAZE (wind). Member of the graduates group of the Japanese dance section, ‘Gei ZERO Za’ of TUA is an ambassador for the Musashino City Tourist Organization.