Interview with Keisho Ohno in Dublin

During his second European tour, Keisho Ohno performed at the unusual venue of the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin. Much to the delight of his Irish fans this was his second date in Ireland, having played at Barberstown Castle the previous day. Shortly before his concert, where he performed in front of many influential people including the Japanese ambassador, JaME had the opportunity to speak with the 'Shamisen Samurai'. Keisho talked about covering the James Bond theme, why Japanese culture is important and how he incorporates the energy and spirit of samurai into his work.


How was yesterday's concert?

Keisho Ohno: It was my first time at Barberstown Castle, but everyone treated me very kindly so it was a lot of fun.

How has your tour been so far?

Keisho Ohno: I’ve been to many different places and met lots of different people, so it’s been really enjoyable.

Very few Japanese artists perform in Ireland and yet you are performing in two venues. Why did you choose to do this?

Keisho Ohno: This time it was actually the tour promoter who booked the places for me. I’ve heard that Japanese bands don’t come to Ireland very often so I’m very happy that I was able to come here.

How are you finding it here?

Keisho Ohno: It’s a really lovely city. The restaurants are very good and the food is tasty…I like the city a lot.

Today you are performing at the Royal Hibernian Academy, which usually holds art exhibitions. Do you ever find it difficult performing in so many different kinds of places?

Keisho Ohno: Today I’m performing in quite an unusual venue but the music resonates well here, so it will be good for the audience. I want to keep performing in many different kinds of places.

For a lot of the people coming to your concerts it will be their first time hearing a traditional instrument such as the shamisen. How would you like to convey Japanese culture to them?

Keisho Ohno: Japanese traditional instruments, like my shamisen, are slowly becoming more well-known, which means they’re no longer so new for a lot of people. I think traditional things should be seen like this, not just as something traditional but as something more familiar.

The artwork on both your CDs and website shows quite powerful themes even though some consider the shamisen a very peaceful instrument. Why do you choose themes such as samurai to represent your music?

Keisho Ohno: The word ‘samurai’ represents people that created a whole past era, the image of when Japan had a lot of energy. That energy is something I want to have inside me, the kind of spirit I want to have. I, too, want to keep living and working hard to receive power. This is why I choose these kinds of themes.

You recently released the mini-album Kamone that had been recorded specifically for your European tour. Why did you choose to do this?

Keisho Ohno: In the past I’ve gone on European tours because I want to be able to play my music for more people. That’s the reason I recorded this CD for Europe in particular.

How is your latest album, Kamone, different from your previous work?

Keisho Ohno: My latest work challenges the music I’ve already made that I felt wasn’t new enough.

On your single Michi there is a cover of the James Bond theme. How did you come up with such an interesting idea?

Keisho Ohno: It’s a song that everybody knows and, when I played it on the shamisen a while ago, I found that this song matches the sound really well. I chose it because I wanted others to hear it.

As there are no lyrics to your music, how do you choose the titles of your songs?

Keisho Ohno: I visualise the song and am able to find a title.

A lot of your songs are based on Japanese culture and spirit. In your own view, what does Japan mean to you?

Keisho Ohno: In Japan there are four seasons or ‘shiki’; spring, summer, autumn and winter. The word ‘shiki’ conveys a wide variation and I want to create music with this kind of variety.

Finally, could you give a message to your overseas fans?

Keisho Ohno: I will continue to go on tours and meet lots of different people, so everyone, please come to my concerts.

JaME would like to thank Keisho Ohno, Alexandre Langlais and Xavier Norindr for this interview