CNMI inspires song in new Japanese CD

A Japanese musician couple is currently on island for their third visit—this time not to perform for their followers, but to promote a new recording inspired by the Northern Marianas.

Titled CNMI-Ondo, the new song by Koumei Takemura and his wife, Rikako Takemura, tells of the couple’s impressions of the islands from their visits in October 2002 and March 2004.

The song features the meditative sound of the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute played by Koumei, and Rikako’s classical voice and playing of the koto, a traditional string instrument from Japan.

The lyrics of the folk song note the Northern Marianas’ blue skies and white beach, colorful history, and great food.

In an interview, Rikako said the upbeat song rendered in both Japanese and English aims not only to entertain, but also to comfort the spirits of those who died in the World War II battles on Saipan and Tinian.

Rikako explained that the song’s playful and fast beat makes it a perfect tune for bon odori, a traditional Japanese dance performed to welcome and comfort ancestors’ souls. A Buddhist tradition, bon dancing is held for about a week in August of every year.

Aside from trying to introduce the new song to people, the Takemuras are currently looking for an individual who can create the dance for CNMI-Ondo.

“We are musicians and we need someone to create the dance for our music. It will make the music more powerful,” said Rikako.

The couple also hopes to make more improvements to the present recording of CNMI-Ondo, which was done in their own classroom back home. “We want to record it more professionally, in a real studio with sound engineers and six to eight more performers playing various instruments,” said Rikako.

But to do this, the couple needs the financial support of the CNMI community.

The couple met with Marianas Visitors Authority yesterday and will get together with Gov. Juan N. Babauta this morning.

Married for 16 years now, Koumei and Rikako Takemura have been making music together since they were students in the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. Both have a master’s degree in music from the university.

With help from the Japan Foreign Ministry and the Japan Foundation, the couple toured Africa in 1993, America in 1998, and the CNMI in 2002 and 2004. They received commendation from the CNMI Public School System for performing and conducting workshop for students last year.

Koumei has given solo recitals in 1987 and 1991 and has appeared on video and CD recordings, as well as numerous radio broadcasts. He owns and runs his own music school with his wife.

For her part, Rikako is an active performer and educator, heading her own koto-shamisen school and conducting classes on techniques used in sankyoku, an ensemble of shakuhachi, koto and shamisen.