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Sukeyasu Shiba

しば すけやす

Shiba Sukeyasu

Pen Names: Kiteki（Used as a pen name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1935-08-13 （Tokyo (former Tokyo Prefecture)）
Died
2019-07-05 （Tokyo, Japan） age 83
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Gagaku musician, Composer
Active Years
1955-2019
Affiliations
Reigakusha, Blue Sheet Co., Ltd., Japan Art Academy, Tokyo University of the Arts (part-time lecturer)
Memberships
Member of the Japan Art Academy, Reigakusha — Representative Director
Influenced By
, , , ,
Influenced
Next-generation gagaku musicians, Members of Reigakusha

Education

Imperial Household Agency, Shikibu-no-shoku, Music Department (Gakuseika)
Music Department
Year of Graduation: 1955
Country: Japan

Awards

Arts Festival Encouragement Award
1964
Work: Bugaku-style Suite
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Arts Festival Award (Excellence)
1971
Work: Three Movements for the Yokobue
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education Award
1988
Work: Concert 'Fue Live '87' and others
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Hida-Furukawa Music Award — Special Merit Award
1993
Organization: Hida-Furukawa Music Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Mobil Music Prize (Traditional Japanese Music category)
1997
Category: 邦楽
Organization: Mobil (ENEOS Music Award)
Result: 受賞
Pola Traditional Culture Award
1999
Organization: Pola Cultural Foundation
Result: 受賞
Nakajima Kenzō Music Award — Special Prize
2002
Organization: Nakajima Kenzō Music Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Japan Art Academy Prize / Imperial Prize
2003
Organization: Japan Art Academy
Result: 受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
1999
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
2009
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Person of Cultural Merit
2011
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 顕彰
Order of Culture
2017
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Bugaku-style Suite

1964 Gagaku / Composition

A suite incorporating elements of bugaku (court dance music).

GagakuBugaku (court dance)

Three Movements for the Yokobue

1971 Gagaku / Instrumental work

A three-movement work centered on the yokobue (transverse flute).

YokobueReconstruction of traditional music

Music Based on Dunhuang Pipa Scores (for Restored Shoso-in Instruments)

2011 Classical / Reconstruction

A reconstructed/arranged work based on Dunhuang pipa scores, recorded and performed by Reigakusha.

ReconstructionDunhuang pipa
Adaptations
  • [Music album] Music Based on Dunhuang Pipa Scores for Restored Shoso-in Instruments / 十束尚宏 (2011)

Gen'yō (Orchestral Works Collection)

2016 Orchestral / Contemporary

An album compiling Sukeyasu Shiba's orchestral works.

OrchestrationFusion of tradition and contemporary elements
Adaptations
  • [Music album] "Gen'yō" Orchestral Works (conducted by Naohiro Totsuka, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa) / 十束尚宏 (2016)

Wedding Overture for the Crown Prince's Marriage

Ceremonial / Festive music

An overture composed to celebrate the marriage of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Ceremonial musicImperial occasions

Shin'ai (Affection)

Gagaku / Ceremonial music

A piece composed as a procession/entrance music used at imperial banquets.

Ceremonial useImperial court music
Adaptations
  • [Performance (Ceremony)] Performance at imperial banquets (entrance piece for the Emperor and state guests)

Bibliography

  • Gakukei Ruiju
  • Illustrated Gagaku Introductory Encyclopedia (supervisor)
  • Reigaku: Sukeyasu Shiba and Modern Gagaku
  • Music Based on Dunhuang Pipa Scores for Restored Shoso-in Instruments (CD)
  • Gagaku Suite in Classical Style 'Hogenja-Tanyu' — The Tragic Tale of Wang Zhaojun (CD)
  • Gen'yō — Orchestral Works Collection (CD)

Adaptations

  • 'Gen'yō' orchestral works (conducted by Naohiro Totsuka)
  • Performance of 'Kimigayo' at the Nagano Olympics Opening Ceremony (1998)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Concise, ceremonial expressions rooted in traditionArrangements that attempt connection with contemporary music
Recurring Motifs
Gagaku modal patternsCeremonial rhythmsRestoration of classical repertoire

Health

  • Malignant lymphoma
    2019年（終末期）
    He died of malignant lymphoma in 2019 after illness; activities were reduced in his final years.

Legacy

Through founding Reigakusha, teaching, reconstructing classical pieces and orchestration, he contributed to dissemination and preservation of gagaku. In 2017 he became the first gagaku musician to receive the Order of Culture; his achievements are highly regarded domestically and internationally.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Art Academy

Archives

  • Reigakusha archives
  • Personal records and materials (held by family and related institutions)

In Popular Culture

  • Performance of the national anthem at the Nagano Olympics Opening Ceremony (1998)
  • Widely covered in media following receipt of the Order of Culture

Trivia

  • He was the first gagaku musician to be awarded the Order of Culture (2017).
  • He participated in founding Reigakusha and served as its representative director and music director.
  • He performed the national anthem at the Nagano Olympic Opening Ceremony in 1998.
  • He sometimes used the pen name 'Kiteki'.