Shamisen concert enthralls Saudis

The Japanese Embassy organized a concert for Saudi guests recently at the residence of Ambassador Jiro Kodera. The concert featured shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument with three strings and a long neck.
“I am glad to show various aspects of Japanese culture to Saudi people. Shamisen has common points with Arabic instruments. This illustrates the many similarities between Japan and Saudi Arabia,” Kodera said.
He added that such similarities “might be one of the reasons why Saudis are attracted to our culture.”
Japanese artist Keisho Ohno played the shamisen. He had been creating “new sounds inspired by Japanese traditions mixed with contemporary styles.” He and his band composed of French artists performed not only Japanese melodies but modern pieces as well.
Ohno, who performed in the Kingdom for the first time, is renowned in France and other European countries where he had given a number of concerts.