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Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association |
| T. M. Hoffman |
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Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association |
| T. M. Hoffman |
Japanese website - http://www.ijmea.com/
...recent (see details & photos, below)
*Dec 07 - Feb 08 : workshop & co-performance tour in Stage III of AIIS project "Japanese koto in Indian music"
*12 February : T M Hoffman titled 'Sangeet Acharya' by two national arts associations (Chandigarh, India)
*08-22 March : official India-Japan Friendship Year concert tour of Japanese troupe & Indian artists (S India / 4 cities)
upcoming in 2008...
*April-July : teaching "Listening to Asia" course (Keio University,
Tokyo) & Nada Yoga workshops; performances (Japan)
*11-16 July : "Africa Meets Asia" International Music Conference & Festival (Bangalore, India)
*July-August : concerts, workshops, conduct teacher training in universities, continue studies (throughout India)
*October-November : performances, lecture-demonstrations, lectures; SEM Conference (North America)
*November-December : performance and education events (Europe & Japan)
Asian Classical Crossover
Indian Classical Music on Japanese Shakuhachi & Koto
< Indian software + Japanese software >
Japanese and Indian instruments (for example, stringed instruments koto and sitar, and flutes shakuhachi and bansuri) share similar capacities and limitations, and are more naturally suited to music based on melodic modes than to music based on harmony. These Japanese instruments - and many other Asian instruments - are more naturally compatible with Indian music than are Western instruments that are brought into India for such purposes. While relatively few modes (senpo) are recognized in traditional Japanese music, Indian classical music employs hundreds of distinctly different modes known as raga. Each raga has its own unique scale structure, ornamentation characteristics and mood, and many of these are completely adaptable to shakuhachi and koto. Through studying specific ragas, one can appreciate the vast scope for solo improvisation on such instruments. Furthermore, true crossover can be accomplished - that is, authentically rendering Indian classical music on the Japanese instrument with all the appropriate nuances.
Performance - INTEGRAL ASIA
Indian Classical Music on ShakuhachI & Koto & Indo-Japanese Vocal
Music
 first India performance - Bhatkhande College 60th Anniversary (Lucknow, 1987) |
 East-West Center (Honolulu, 1991) |
 Pakistan National Council of Arts (Islamabad , 1998) |
 with Afghani & Indian artists (Tokyo, 2000) |
 Mt Myogi Sakura Festival concert (Gunma, 2001) |
 performing shakuhachi, koto & thumri (Delhi University, 2005) |
Authentic classical performance of ragadari sangeet from the Hindustani (north Indian) tradition and with material of Carnatic (south Indian) music. Free-rhythm melody alap sets the mood, followed by compositions and improvisation in conjunction with tala, the rhythmic cycles of Indian music, and spontaneous dialogue with drums tabla, pakhawaj, mridangam, etc. Co-performance with Indian and other compatible instruments and styles is also possible. With vocal music, in addition to standard forms and styles khayal, thumris, bhajan with texts in Hindi and other Indian languages, classical poetry of Japan - tanka, haiku and others – is employed in performance of compositional and improvisational styles. Both the instrumental and vocal intra-Asian crossover applications have been thoroughly researched and cooperatively developed with the participation and guidance of leading artists and educators of both North and South India and Japan.
Lecture-Demonstration &
Workshop
Indian raga on Japanese instruments and with Japanese poetry
 for staff of Bhatkhande Music Institute (Lucknow, Mar 2006) |
 with students of Bhatkhande Music Institute (Feb 2008) |
 for staff & students of Int'l Christian University (Tokyo, Oct 2005) |
In these sessions, we examine the principles of raga and how they relate to Japanese music and instruments, and then select one or more ragas to practice on shakuhachi (and/or koto). Methods of playing raga together with the Indian rhythmic cycles tala are also demonstrated. Examples may be taken from the instruction book Raga for Shakuhachi & Koto (1989), written originally in Japanese by Hoffman while using shakuhachi to complete the Visharad (=shihan) program for Indian flute bansuri in Bhatkhande College of Music, Lucknow, India.
Some Previous Performance and Workshop VenuesJapan: Embassy of India, Ongaku-no-tomo Hall, Mitaka Arts Center, International House of Japan, Gunma State Assembly: Keio University, International Christian University, Tokai University, Osaka Gakuin University, Shuchi-in University, Musashino Academy of Music; major temples Kenchoji, Gokokuji, Ishiyama-dera; national NHK radio & TV, other media
India: Embassy of
Japan, Japan Cultural and Information Center, India International Centre IIC,
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts IGNCA, National Centre for
Performing Arts NCPA, Ambedkar Auditorium, Delhi University, Madras University,
Gandharva Music College, Allauddin Khan Music Festival, All-India Radio, TV
USA: East-West Center, Center for World Music, Princeton
University, Cornell University, University of Chicago, San Diego State
University, Oregon University; high schools and elementary schools; broadcasts
by Voice of America, FM stations, Internet
Other: London University, Pakistan National Council of the
Arts (Islamabad), Shilpakala National Academy (Dhaka), Ceylon Radio (Sri
Lanka), Silpakorn University (Thailand)
About Indo-Japanese Music
Exchange Association
(Nichi-In Ongaku Koryu Kai)
Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association is a private, non-profit organization founded in Tokyo in June 1989 for the purpose of promoting opportunities for Japanese and Indian musicians to observe, study and appreciate the classical music of their counterparts, both as performing art and subject of theoretical and historical study. Founding members of this Association have, through research and applied studies, ascertained that significant structural, stylistic and historical relationships exist between Indian and Japanese musics, and that interaction between musicians of the two cultures can enhance understanding and development within the respective traditions and in the broader context of Asian music. The Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association is guided by an advisory board comprised of fourteen respected cultural figures of Japan and India. Over fifty Association members in Japan and India are performing artists, teachers and advanced students with deep interest in Japanese, Indian and/or other Asian classical musics.
Primary activities of the Indo-Japanese Music Exchange
Association (1989-present)
* Conduct workshops and provide specialized training - Indian raga for Japanese
instruments, and Hindustani vocal music
* Direct and facilitate cooperative performances by artists of Japan, India and
other cultures
* Organize intercultural projects/international visits of artists and educators
* Assist in research and publishing and coordinate with
other media on related subjects
About T. M. (Tim) Hoffman
 shakuhachi guru Yamaguchi Goro in concert (Tokyo, Oct 1985) |
 on the same stage w/Yamada Hiroyo & others |
 sitar & vocal training underDr M D P Mudunkotuwa (Sri Lanka, 1980-81) |
 vocal training under Guruji, Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra (Lucknow 1985-89, continuing) |
* Born
& raised in USA, 36 years in Asia - 26 years Japan, 6 years India, 1
year Sri Lanka, + others
* Honors graduate (USA, Japan, India) A.A. (Grossmont College,
San Diego), B.A. (International Christian University, Tokyo), M.A. (University
of Hawaii/East-West Center); Visharad 5-yr degree in Hindustani classical vocal
& flute/shakuhachi, Madhyama 3-yr degree in tabla (Bhatkhande College of
Music – Lucknow, India)
* Trained by renowned masters in piano (Grace Mundorf Myers, USA);
shakuhachi (late Living National Treasure Yamaguchi Goro, Japan); North Indian
classical vocal (Benares gharana doyan Ganesh Prasad Mishra, India); sitar
& Sinhalese music (Dr M D P Premadasa Mudunkotuwa, Sri Lanka); also studied/trained
under masters of Indonesian, Korean and other musics
* Performer of Japanese and Hindustani classical on shakuhachi, also
Indian vocal (concerts & TV/radio in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Japan, USA, England, etc)
* Organizer of many visits to India (for total 22 Japanese musicians)
and Japan (for 12 Indian musicians) for cooperative workshops and performances
* Presenter of public lecture series for Tokyo gov't, Japan Foundation,
various national and regional cultural facilities in Japan and India, and workshops
for musicians
* Author of Raga for Shakuhachi and Koto (instruction book, in
Japanese), numerous theses, journal articles, columns etc in Japan and India
* Translator of fiction and poetry collections for prominent Japanese authors
and works for UNESCO, Japan Foundation, Japanese & Indian government
agencies; also numerous Indian song texts (Hindi-English/Japanese)
* Consultant, documenter, contributor in international musicology
conferences
* Producer of intercultural performances; CD Khyal and more for
JVC World Sounds Series; CD INTEGRAL ASIA featuring top Indian and
Japanese artists
* Founder of Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association in 1989
* Lecturer & Professor in Ethnomusicology (from 1993, Musashino
Academia Musicae; from 2006, Keio University; other); guest lecturer in leading
universities of India, Japan, USA, Europe, SE Asia, Korea, etc
* Awarded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Trophy (Hindustani classical vocal music;
India 1987); East-West Center Fellowship (ethnomusicology; USA 1990-91);
Deroy Award from Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (for intercultural
exchange; Tokyo 2003); American Institute of Indian Studies AIIS Senior
Performing and Creative Arts Fellowship (adapting Japanese koto to Indian
classical music; India, USA, Japan 2006-08); title “Sangeet Acharya” (India 2008)
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If you would like to host or sponsor a performance, lecture-demonstration or workshop in your area, or would like more information, please contact T. M. Hoffman (English) |
Hear Sound Samples of CD “INTEGRAL ASIA”
featuring T M Hoffman along with leading vocalist of India’s Benares gharana, top koto artist of Japan, and two celebrated tabla artists of India
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Rag
Marva -shakuhachi & tabla Rag Jayjayvanti (1) - shakuhachi & tabla Rag Jayjayvanti (2) - shakuhachi & tabla Rag Bhairavi (1) - voice, koto (Hoffman) & tabla Rag Bhairavi (2) - voice, koto (Hoffman) & tabla Haiku & Khyal (1) - voice, 25-stringed koto & tabla Haiku & Khyal (2) - voice, 25-stringed koto & tabla Tsugaru (1) - 25-stringed koto & tabla Tsugaru (2)- 25-stringed koto & tabla Tsugaru (3) - 25-stringed koto & tabla |
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| Order a copy of INTEGRAL ASIA CD | ||
…more about T M (Tim)
Hoffman…
“Avant Garde of Oriental Music”
Interview
by National Network of Education (India)
“American musician finds East meets East”
Daily Yomiuri ‘Cultural Inroads’ feature (Japan 2006)
Asian Classical Crossover – Developing Performance of Indian Classical Music on Japanese Koto
Project as Senior Performing & Creative Arts Fellow, American Institute of Indian Studies AIIS / July 2006–January 2008 (completed)
Application of Japanese koto in Indian classical and semi-classical music, both as instrumental music and as accompaniment to vocal music. Development of technique and styles in conjunction with artists and institutions in India. Koto instruments donated to three premier Indian institutions. Koto to be added to curriculum as instrument of Indian music training in Bhatkhande Music Institute (Lucknow). Further performance and education events featuring koto+raga are scheduled across India for July-August 2008.
 w/ Guruji training grandson Rishi Mishra (Lucknow, July 2006) |
 on Kolkata TV w/ Baul musician Tapas Balui (Santiniketan, August 2006) |
 workshop for postgrad students in University of Delhi (September 2006) |
Some Memorable Intercultural Music Projects
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Japanese
Classical Music & Indo-Japanese Collaborations
North-South Asia Confluence in India-Japan Friendship Year
(concert
titles vary locally)
08-22 March 2008 <<>> South India
official India-Japan Friendship Year events
featuring
T. M. Hoffman (shakuhachi & vocal, music director)
<> Mai Suzuki (koto & vocal)
Tetsuya Sato (tabla & percussion) <> Sakiko Aruga (tambura, tour
coordinator)
+ four exemplary Indian artists
Anantha Krishna Sharma (mridangam, tabla) <> Dr Fr Paul Poovathingal (Carnatic vocal)
Guruvayoor Sanoj (mridangam) <> Prof. Abdul Aziz (violin)
organized by Indo-Japanese Music Exchange
Association
with support of Japanese
Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs
cooperation of Japanese Consulates & AOTS Alumni Chapters
locations/events (all dates in March 08) : Bangalore 10-12 / concert on 11th at YAVANIKA Hall Chennai 13-15 / concert on 14th at Dakshinachitra Centre Kochi (Cochin) 16-18 / concert on 17th at Lotus Club Hall Thrissur 18-20 / concert on 18th at Kerala Sahitya Akademi Hall * Lecture-demos in AOTSJapan Centre (Chennai) and Bangalore University standard program repertory Japanese
contemporary compositions along with Indian instruments Tampura meets shakuhachi! - New India Press full-page story on 17 Mar 08 Cochin concert http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEX20080316224726&Page=X&Title=Kochi&Topic=0& Where two strains of oriental music merged - The HINDU Thrissur 19 Mar http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031956410300.htm Best of both the worlds - Deccan Herald 11 Mar 08 Bangalore http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar122008/city2008031256896.asp |
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Indian classical, folk and sacred music &
Indo-Japanese music
two generations of India’s musical Mishra family join celebrated musicians of
Japan
organized by Indo-Japanese Music Exchange
Association
with support of Japanese Government Agency
for Cultural Affairs
cooperation of Embassy of India & Indo-Japanese Association
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All
events including internationally renowned artists and institutions of Japan standard
program repertory |
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 w/shamisen Baisho Matsumoto (Takasaki, 06 June) |
 w/Rabinder Malik's Japanese song at FCCJ (Tokyo, 22 June) |
Indian Classical and Asian Crossover Music Project - Japan 2006
17-31 May 2006 <<>> Kanto area
featuring
Sudhir Gautam (jaltarang & santur) <> T. M. Hoffman (shakuhachi
& koto)
Probir Mittra (tabla) <> Sakiko Aruga, Hiroko Aoki, Naoto Kasahara (tambura)
organized by Indo-Japanese
Music Exchange Association (Japan office)
with cooperation of Embassy of India, Indo-Japanese Association &
Air-India
<
photos & details at http://www.ijmea.com/
(Japanese) >
date & time venue
& event content / producer
20 May 17:00 Mitaka City Arts Center (Tokyo)
public performance ‘Eternal India’ / Mitaka City Arts Foundation
23 May 19:00 Kanra Kawara Museum (Kanra Township, Gunma)
performance & collaborations with pottery artists / Kanra Fukushima
Ceramics Industry
25 May 18:30 Gunma Prefectural Building Hall (Maebashi)
public performance / Arts & Culture NPO Spirit Network Gunma
26 May 16:45 Takasaki University of Health and Welfare (Takasaki, Gunma)
open lecture/concert and seminar on music therapy / university Student
Union
19:30 Takasaki City Concert Series at FOR (Takasaki)
public performance ‘Wind on the Water’ / Takasaki City News & Chamber
of Commerce
27 May 16:00 20:30 Edogawa-ku Seishincho Community Center (Tokyo)
‘Sound Asia Expo - sangeet sangam’co- performances and social evening with Asian musicians
(India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, etc) / Indo-Japanese Music Exchange
Association & SHANTI Tea
29 May 18:00 Bach Hall, Musashino Academy of Music (Iruma, Saitama)
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A World of Music
featuringSatsuma biwa * biwa & shakuhachi
improvisations * Japanese & Indian classical music on shakuhachi * Bengali
folk songs
Hindustani classical vocal * Japanese classical poetry in Indian music * Irish
folk songs * European Baroque music * American jazz * percussion ensemble
 Japanese classical + improvisations |
 Afghan folk music on instruments of Europe, Japan & India |
Publications
<in
Japanese>
Book: Raga for Shakuhachi and Koto (text & Indian and
Japanese notation) 1989
Journals: “Measured and unmeasured rhythm in India and Japan I, II” in Ongaku
Geijutsu/Music Art, 1982-83
“Language, music and time” 1998, “Principles of diminution and augmentation
in language and music” (2002),
“A survey of South-North Asian exchanges in music and language” 2006 -
Journal of Musashino Academia Musicae; others
‘Traveling in four directions with sound’ - 24 essays in monthly Tenjiku-Nanban
Jouhou (India and the West)
<in English>
“Music in Japan, Music in India: Relationships and Potentialities” in Journal
of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi 9/89
Japan Times & Asahi Evening News (many articles on Asian
performing arts)
translation (Japanese-English)
* Cultural Administration in Our Nation (Japanese Gov’t Ministry of
Education, 1985)
* fiction, short story & poetry collections published by Oxford University
Press, gov’t publishers of India, Thailand, others
*Japan Foundation Asian Performing Arts series - many 30-page booklets
(1993-2004)
* Music of the World - Smithsonian/Folkways USA (original production
by JVC) , South Asia section
(Hindi-English-Japanese) translation/analysis of over seventy poetic texts of
classical vocal music
* with very special thanks to Monty H.
Levenson of Tai Hei Shakuhachi http://www.shakuhachi.com/
