Hibiki Ichikawa

一川 響

Tsugaru Shamisen player

Traditional Japanese Stringed Instrument

About Me

HIBIKI is a London based Tsugaru Shamisen player with over 15 years of experience in playing this unique and fascinating instrument. He first came to the UK in 2011. He was previously granted a 'Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa', and is now permanently settled in the UK. Officially recognised as a world leading talent of Tsugaru Shamisen, Hibiki regularly performs across the UK and Europe.

His professional activities include teaching more than 20 students and collaborating with several musicians and artists in a variety of projects. In 2016, he took part in the recording of the sountrack for the BAFTA-winning stop-motion animated film Kubo and the Two Strings, produced by Laika Studios.

Highlight

Collaboration with Dario Marianelli for the soundtrack of the academy nominated film 'Kubo and the Two Strings'

Annual Student concert

Regular workshops with local school children across the UK

Various international performances organised by the Embassy of Japan (Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, France, Iceland, Sudan, among over 20 other countries)

London underground busking license