Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

NIIGATA, Japan - Renown blind traveling singer and samisen player Haru Kobayashi (in undated file photo) died April 25 of old age at a nursing home in Kurokawa, Niigata Prefecture, the nursing home said. She was 105. Kobayashi, who lost her vision some three months after birth, joined a troupe of traveling entertainers called goze at the age of 5. Since then, she traveled, providing entertainment for people living in mountainous areas for 68 years until she entered a nursing home in 1973.

Cameroon's W. Vincent performs samisen as accredited player

Cameroon's W. Vincent performs samisen as accredited player

OSAKA, Japan - Wouassi Vincent from Cameroon plays samisen at a national theater in Osaka on Nov. 23 as an accredited shin'nai samisen player. Called Fujimatsu Wouassi for his accredited name given by his master Fujimatsu Kikusaburo, Vincent, 38, came to Japan in 1994 and received training under his master.

Traditional Japan drumming group performs at Greek festival

Traditional Japan drumming group performs at Greek festival

ATHENS, Greece - A Japanese traditional drumming group performs at the Herodes Atticus Odeon in the Greek capital during the finale of the annual Athens Festival on Sept. 28. Members of Osaka DaDaDaDan Tenko, an Osaka-based drumming group, impressed the audience with their powerful drumming and performances combining samisen, a Japanese three-string instrument, and elements of Kabuki.

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

NIIGATA, Japan - Renown blind traveling singer and samisen player Haru Kobayashi (in undated file photo) died April 25 of old age at a nursing home in Kurokawa, Niigata Prefecture, the nursing home said. She was 105. Kobayashi, who lost her vision some three months after birth, joined a troupe of traveling entertainers called goze at the age of 5. Since then, she traveled, providing entertainment for people living in mountainous areas for 68 years until she entered a nursing home in 1973. (Kyodo)

Japan - Music Teacher playing a Shamisen

Japan - Music Teacher playing a Shamisen

Japan - Music Teacher playing a Shamisen (or Samisen). The alcove behind her is called the tokonoma and is the pride of the house Date: 1932

Traditional Japan drumming group performs at Greek festival

Traditional Japan drumming group performs at Greek festival

ATHENS, Greece - A Japanese traditional drumming group performs at the Herodes Atticus Odeon in the Greek capital during the finale of the annual Athens Festival on Sept. 28. Members of Osaka DaDaDaDan Tenko, an Osaka-based drumming group, impressed the audience with their powerful drumming and performances combining samisen, a Japanese three-string instrument, and elements of Kabuki. (Kyodo)

Cameroon's W. Vincent performs samisen as accredited player

Cameroon's W. Vincent performs samisen as accredited player

OSAKA, Japan - Wouassi Vincent from Cameroon plays samisen at a national theater in Osaka on Nov. 23 as an accredited shin'nai samisen player. Called Fujimatsu Wouassi for his accredited name given by his master Fujimatsu Kikusaburo, Vincent, 38, came to Japan in 1994 and received training under his master. (Kyodo)