Yukio Tanaka

Born and raised in Tokyo Yukio Tanaka began his biwa studies at the age of 22 under the legendary Satsuma Biwa master, Tsuruta Kinshi. In 1973 he graduates from the NHK Hougaku Music Academy and subsequently passes the NHK audition. In 1979 he wins first prize in the Japan Biwa Music Contest and then goes on to perform internationally in the US, Europe, and Asia as a soloist as well as with Tsuruta sensei and other prominent classical Japanese artists such as Katsuya Yokoyama (shakuahchi) and Akao Michiko (yokobue). He has released four beautiful CDs of biwa music: "Seijaku no Biwa" (Victor), "Japanese Traditional Music" (King), "Moonbeam" (Victor), "Chinkon Gakka--Deep Red Pathos" (Ebisu), and his latest, "Biwa" (Ebisu). His music is also featured on the epic Japanese fantasy film, "Onnmyoji" and on various television and theatre productions. He is presently an instructor at the Tokyo University of Music and President of the Japan Biwa Association. He regularly performs in the US, Europe, and Asia.