He is the man responsible for bringing gagaku back into the Japanese lexicon. He is to gagaku (classical Japanese court music) what Ayumi Hamasaki is to J-Pop. Since Hideki Togi left the Imperial Household Agency in 1996, armed with his hichiriki, black leather pants and cool charm, he has been on a self-proclaimed mission to "communicate this indescribable buzz -- the cosmic truth -- of gagaku" to the nation. Two Japan Record Awards and nine albums later, the nation has been seduced.
This 43-year-old former gagakushi (Imperial court musician) has come a long way since his days playing in the Imperial Household Agency's Board of Ceremonies at official events and Shinto rituals. These days he plays in front of thousands of predominately female fans at venues across Japan. Something of a darling among my mother's generation, perhaps he should be considered a sophisticated alternative to the Cliff Richards and Tom Joneses of the world.
Having wrapped up a marathon national tour to promote his new "fusion" album, "I Am With You," in November, Togi is taking a bit of a breather before the start of his New Year's (shinshun) concert series in January. This third annual tour -- on which he will be joined by musicians from Xian, China -- affords fans a rare chance to experience pure gagaku, stripped of any fusion elements.
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