Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you so much for all your support during 2024. We are always excited to share as much of what’s happening in Sasebo as possible. Our first article for 2025 is a collaboration between the local free paper Naradewa and Sasebo E Channel. In the January issue, we interview Jacob, an American teenager who has immersed himself in the Japanese musical instrument, Shamisen.
皆さん、Happy New Year! 2024年もたくさんのご支援をありがとうございました。今年も佐世保の街ネタをバイリンガルでたくさんお届けします！新年 1 発目の記事は、ならでわ×Eチャンのコラボ記事です。1月号では日本文化を楽しむアメリカ人にインタビューしました。
日本語の記事は月刊ならでわをご覧ください。
・月刊ならでわ！Webサイト 【こちら】
American Teenager Who Loves Playing the Shamisen!
California-born Jacob, a 14-year-old middle school student, moved to Yokosuka with his Navy family seven years ago. Right after he came to Sasebo, he encountered a Shamisen concert at the Yonkacho arcade in Sasebo. A flyer he picked up there introduced him to Maekawa Gakkiten, a Japanese musical instrument shop. As soon as he first held a Shamisen in his hands at the shop, he just knew that he had to have one. He’s now been leaning the Shamisen for 3 years. The Shamisen’s beautiful tones always move him, though sometimes he feels sad since traditional Japanese instruments tend to be overlooked by young people. “I want to show people from back home how cool the Shamisen is,” says Jacob.
There are several kinds of Shamisens, but Jacob plays Nagauta Shamisen which is often used in Kabuki theater, a traditional Japanese performing art. He has already learned many Nagauta pieces and now can sight-play them.
While watching a Shamisen performance with his mother on TV at age 5, he said “I want to play that thing someday,” his mother recalled. His dreams have at last come true and his mom is his great supporter. She sees learning Shamisen as a great way to help her son grow as a person.
Jacob also plays the Koto, a type of Japanese harp. His younger sister is going to start learning the Koto, as well.
Maekawa Gakkiten (前川楽器店)
At Maekawa Gakkiten, you can buy or repair traditional Japanese instruments such as Taiko, Koto, Shamisen, etc. Also, there is a great selection of Japanese souvenirs which are popular among non-Japanese residents and visitors. We asked the shop owner the top 3 popular items among them.
【Maekawa Gakkiten】
Sakae-machi 4-2, Sasebo-shi 【MAP】
0956-22-6582
Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Open all-year-round except on 1/1
Website: Click Here
Top 3 Popular Souvenirs Among Non-Japanese People
1st. Sasebo Original T-shirts (White/Black/Gray)
Maekawa Gakkiten’s original T-shirts feature the Torii gate of the Sasebo naval base!
2nd. Shot Glasses & Cups
Popular items are the ones with pictures that will be shown or changed when you pour hot water!
3rd. Japanese Traditional Paper Arts
These affordable pieces of Japanese paper (washi) are printed with famous Ukiyo-e art such as “Nami Fuji” or kabuto (samurai helmets).
