Pakistanis interact with Japanese artistes

Ishrat Hyatt
Islamabad :In continuation of the ongoing celebrations for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, the embassy o Japan organised a concert of traditional music and dance, titled ‘Gagaku’ featuring Tsukumo Togi and Masami Togi. The artistes had come especially from Japan and were accompanied by Madame Sumiko Togi, who was the coordinator.
Unfortunately some of us could not attend the performance a day earlier because of the sit-in going on in the capital but we were lucky enough to make it to meet the artistes at a dinner hosted in their honour by the ambassador of Japan and Mrs Takashi Kurai at their residence. The dinner was attended by a cross section of Pakistani guests from different walks of life. It was interesting to learn that the duo is mother and daughter and this noble family is carrying on the tradition that has been in their family for 1,300 years – and that Madame Sumiko Togi is the wife of a former ambassador of Japan, posted here in ’83 – ’84! She was happy to be back and quite surprised that a couple of guests remembered her and the ambassador. She was also proud to be wearing a Pakistani outfit she had bought while shopping in the morning!
After a formal welcome by Ambassador Kurai, his mention of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Japan and his brief introduction of the artistes, Masami spoke about her delight in coming to Pakistan, a country she had heard much about because of its history and heritage. “We need to promote more cultural interaction between our two countries,” she said.
Later while speaking informally she explained that Gagaku (literal translation is elegant music) was developed for leisure and elegance in the Imperial courts of the far east – it was not meant for the general public. Tsukumo plays the ‘Sho’ a reed instrument which, Masami explained, has its origins in this part of the world while she plays the ‘Ryuteki’ – known as the dragon flute – and that playing these instruments together was considered an expression of the whole universe.
The ‘sho’ was proudly brought out for me to see – it has a globular base and about eighteen reeds of different sizes going up in a symmetrical shape and down again with a small hole in the globe to blow throw. It requires steady breath control and is a difficult instrument to master but Masami said it was important to carry on tradition in this fast paced world. The trio were excited to go to Lahore and see Badshahi Mosque and other famous buildings and said they would like to come back to visit Swat and see the sites of the Ghandara civilization.
It was a pleasant to meet and get close and personal with the artistes while learning about a part of Japanese culture I was not aware of before. A get together such as this serves a dual purpose - while learning about cultural norms and niceties of other people, we also get to know the artistes and enjoy their company – something that happens rarely.