Welcome to Mai’s corner!

At Monthly Music, Mai plays famous music that has been sung since long ago and remains in Japanese people's hearts today. Since ancient times, the Japanese have sung songs that express their feelings about the four seasons. These songs are about love for the family, memories of friends and confessions to lovers.
They are masterpieces full of Japanese people's emotions that are a little different from today’s J-pop. These masterpieces will be performed by a piano with a variety of video footage. How wonderful it would be if these could touch your heartstrings. Also, the video is composed of themes that I have thought of myself. Which video do you prefer?         You can listen to all the tunes already played in the Monthly Music corner here.
​Click here and scroll down for this month's tune​

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Pianist Mai

Mai has started playing the piano at the age of 4.
She had a bachelor's degree in piano from Ferris University. Obtained a master's degree from the Ferris graduate school of music.
She was selected at the audition and performed at a chamber music evening concert. Performed with violinist Yuriko Kuronuma and NHK Symphony Orchestra, cellist Hisaya Dogin.
She has studied under Yoko Nakano, Naoyuki Inoue, and Shizuko Soh.

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Japanese Classical Music〜 Spring/Summer 〜

The music for February is ‘Winter Scene’(冬景色).

冬景色 (Fuyugesiki in Japanese)
​Music : Unknown
Arrangement : 川口 晴子 (Haruko KAWAGUCHI)

The cold increases when the New Year's excitement in January has eased. The cold peaks in February, which is said to be the severest month in winter.
This tune has a poem that describes scenery around early winter, such as the morning by the waterside, the daytime in the countryside, and the evening in the village. The tune was composed around 1913 and its gentle melody of those days makes us feel nostalgia. 
Enjoy this tune played by Mai while letting your imagination run.

The music for September is ‘Red Dragonfly’ (赤とんぼ).

赤とんぼ (Akatonbo in Japanese)
​Music : 山田 耕作 (Kousaku YAMADA)
Arrangement : 川口 晴子 (Haruko KAWAGUCHI)

This music is a famous piece that almost all Japanese people know.
Looking at a red dragonfly perched at the tip of a pole, we happen to remember the old days that we had forgotten. It was something we saw when we were children, a red dragonfly seen while we were being carried on the back of an adult in a field of white glowing Japanese pampas grass. It is a nostalgic scene full of unforgettable memories that there was an adult who once protected us.
Please enjoy the beauty of the sunset in the accompanying video, and, at the same time, reflect on Japanese people’s emotions. (Composed in 1921)

The music for October is ‘My Hometown’ (故郷).

故郷 (Furusato in Japanese)
​Music : 岡野 貞一 (Teiichi OKANO)
Arrangement : 内田 ゆう子 (Yuko UCHIDA)

Maybe a man, who lives in a big city, one day suddenly thinks of his hometown at night. It's a nostalgic memory of his childhood. The gentle smiles of his father and mother, the mountains where he played, the clean river, and the days he forgot. These feelings gradually take away his stress and bring him relief.  And it feels like the night is gently wrapping around him and comforting him. Please listen to the jazz arrangements. (Composed in 1914)

The music for November is ‘Fall Foliage’ (紅葉).

紅葉 (Momiji in Japanese)
​Music : 岡野 貞一 (Teiichi OKANO)
Arrangement : 内田 ゆう子 (Yuko UCHIDA)

In late autumn, autumn leaves beautifully color the mountains. In Japan, there is a word called 'Kinshu'.
'Kinshu' is used to praise the beauty of autumn mountains, such as maples and ginkgo, as if they were woven into a fabric.
Besides, Japanese people go out to fields and mountains since the old days to see the autumn leaves at this time. This is called 'Momiji-gari'(viewing autumnal leaves). This song expresses the beauty of such autumn leaves.

The music for December is ‘Snow’ (雪).

雪 (Yuki in Japanese)
​Music : Unknown
Arrangement : 鈴木 奈美 (Nami SUZUKI)

The children with bright red cheeks are looking up at the sky and having a merry time watching the falling snow. The snow is cold but white, gentle and beautiful. The children's cheers are drowned out by the falling snow. At such times, the cat sneaks into the kotatsu secretly, drops into a doze for a short while, and dreams. It is a dream to play with children. This song expresses the joy of snowy days. Please enjoy the tune by the jazz arrangement.

The music for January is ‘Spring Sea’(春の海).

春の海 (Harunoumi in Japanese)
​Music : 宮城 道雄 (Michio MIYAGI)
Arrangement : 和田 則彦 (Norihiko WADA)

One of the most suitable tunes for the beginning of Japan's year will be Mr. Michio Miyagi's "Spring Sea". There are no Japanese who don't listen to this tune at the beginning of the new year in Japan. People hear this tune in various places, such as department stores, shopping streets, television and radio.  This tune was originally composed for the Koto (Japanese harp). Mr. Miyagi was also known as a koto player.
It is said that this tune was created in the image of the calm Seto Inland Sea.
Mai expresses with a piano the scene of the ocean gently rippling in the light of the New Year. Please feel free to experience the Japanese people’s feelings.