Shamisen Meets The TENG Ensemble: Performing for 60 Years of Singapore–Japan Relations | KIKUCHI Mitsutaka, Nagauta Shamisen Player

To mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan (SJ60), I performed nagauta shamisen with the members of The TENG Ensemble, who came to Japan from Singapore.

We played two performances: the SJ60 Concert in Ebisu, Tokyo, and the Cherry Blossom Charity Ball at The Okura Tokyo. Both were graced by members of the Imperial Family, and it was a great honor to be on stage.

60 years of Singapore–Japan relations

Singapore and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1966. In 2026, the 60th anniversary year, events are being held in both countries under the name “SJ60”. The theme is “Co-imagine, Co-create, Co-evolve”.

A banner with a red circle reading "60 YEARS" and the words SINGAPORE - JAPAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 1966 - 2026 — The 60th anniversary banner

About The TENG Ensemble

The TENG Ensemble is a music group based in Singapore, founded in 2009. It combines traditional instruments such as the Chinese pipa, guzheng and erhu with modern instruments such as the cello, guitar and keyboard, creating music that blends East and West, tradition and the contemporary.

For me, it was the first time I had seriously performed together with instruments from outside Japanese traditional music.

Rehearsal and reception at the embassy

We rehearsed at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Tokyo.

A room in the embassy with the Singaporean and Japanese flags side by side — The embassy, where we rehearsed

Music stands set up in a room at the embassy for rehearsal — Rehearsing at the embassy

At the reception after the rehearsal, we tried playing each other’s instruments, the shamisen and the Chinese pipa, and enjoyed connecting through our instruments. For communication, we relied a great deal on the embassy’s interpreters, and on Google Translate.

Someone adjusting how a shamisen is held — Trying the shamisen

A Chinese pipa held upright on the lap — The Chinese pipa

SJ60 Concert (The Garden Hall, Ebisu)

Date: 2 April 2026
Venue: The Garden Hall, Yebisu Garden Place
Organizer: Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Tokyo
Event page: SJ60 Concert

A program reading "SJ60 Concert Stories from an Island City 2 April 2026" — The concert program

The concert was titled “Stories from an Island City”. I took part as one of the performers from Little Creators, a Japanese nonprofit organization, and played with The TENG Ensemble in pieces including their original works and a Studio Ghibli medley.

Here is a short clip from the rehearsal at The Garden Hall in Ebisu.

A speaker with a microphone and the ensemble in front of a screen reading "SJ60 Concert Stories from an Island City" — The SJ60 Concert. Photo: Embassy of Singapore in Tokyo, Facebook

The ensemble performing in front of a large screen — The SJ60 Concert

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko of Takamado attended the concert.

Playing together, there were moments when it truly felt as if we were having a conversation through music. It brought back memories of my time in a choir, singing with members from overseas.

Food tables in a lobby with large windows — The lobby of The Garden Hall in Ebisu

Cherry Blossom Charity Ball (The Okura Tokyo)

The next day, we performed at the Cherry Blossom Charity Ball, held at The Okura Tokyo.

Venue: The Okura Tokyo
Event page: Cherry Blossom Charity Ball

Sound check on a stage lit in red before the performance — Rehearsal before the performance

Me in hakama with members of The TENG Ensemble in a hotel corridor — With the members before the show

Playing shamisen in hakama on a red stage, alongside the cello, pipa, erhu and guzheng — Performing at the Cherry Blossom Charity Ball

The ensemble performing on a stage at the far end of a large banquet hall with round tables — The banquet hall

The origami horse we put up in the dressing room was also a hit with the members.

Members gathered around a table in the dressing room — In the dressing room

Standing with the members, holding their instruments, in a lobby decorated with cherry blossoms — In the hotel lobby

Walking through Tokyo in cherry blossom season

The day after the performances, I went sightseeing in Tokyo with the members while the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, from Ginza to Harajuku and Shibuya. We visited cafés and strolled through a park with petals falling around us. It was a full and happy day of a different kind from the performances.

A selfie with the members around a café table — Everyone together at a morning café

Members taking photos in a park with cherry blossoms — A walk in Yoyogi Park with the cherry blossoms at their best

At the end, we said goodbye with a promise to meet again in Singapore.

Music crosses borders

These days reminded me once again that music crosses borders.

Performance requests

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