Choichi Terukina (Japanese: 照喜名朝一, Terukina Chōichi, 15 April 1932 – 10 September 2022) was a Japanese Ryukyuan classical musician and sanshin grandmaster.
Choichi Terukina | |
|---|---|
照喜名朝一 | |
 | |
| Born | 15 April 1932 |
| Died | 10 September 2022 (aged 90) |
| Citizenship | Japanese |
| Years active | 1957–2022 |
| Organization | Ryukyu Koten Afuso-ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editTerukina was born in Okinawa on 15 April 1932. When he was 6 years old, he started playing the sanshin, an Okinawan three-stringed instrument.[1] At age 25, Terukina started formal sanshin lessons under Haruyuki Miyazato, a sanshin master.[2][3] Miyazato's lessons relied more on imitating the teacher's music rather than reading off of musical notes, which is an essential part of uta-sanshin, the style of playing that Terukina taught.
Career
editIn 1960, Terukina opened his first sanshin dojo, teaching students the Afuso Ryu style of uta-sanshin.[2] He has taught hundreds of students throughout his career as a sanshin grandmaster.[2] In 2000, Terukina was designated as a Living National Treasure of Japan for his mastery of Ryukyuan classical music (koten).[4]
Terukina was the leader of the organization Ryukyu Koten Afuso-ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai, which has 1,300 members worldwide.[1][2]
Terukina played at Carnegie Hall in 2019. This was for his 88th lunar birthday, which is a special date in the Okinawan culture known as beiju.[5]
Personal life and death
editTerukina had a son named Tomokuni, who also plays the sanshin.[6] Choichi Terukina died at his home in Naha City on 10 September 2022, at the age of 90.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "16th Annual Honolulu Festival – Special Interview". Honolulu Festival. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Choichi Terukina Sensei" (PDF). Hawaii United Okinawa Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Haruyuki Miyazato". rca.open.ed.jp. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Japan's Living National Treasure Choichi Terukina brings Okinawa to America in "3 Strings" Concert, Mar 19, 7:00 pm – Japanese Art & Culture in LA". Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Okinawan National Treasure sings at legendary Carnegie Hall". Ryukyu Shimpo - Okinawa, a Japanese newspaper, local news. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Inheriting the tone of peace". Nihonmono. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021.
- ^ "【訃報】照喜名朝一さん死去 琉球芸能初の人間国宝 90歳". The Ryukyu Shimpo. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
External links
edit- Choichi Terukina discography at Discogs
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