S01E01 Fuji Kaze
In the corner of a busy office at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, a staffer rearranged books, vinyl records and tchotchkes on a bright red shelving unit. The production crew double-checked equipment settings...
tiny desk concerts JAPAN
Experience music at its best and most original
S01E11: yano et agatsuma
"New" Traditional Japanese Music: Piano, Shamisen, and Electronic Sounds Since debuting with her 1976 album JAPANESE GIRL, Yano Akiko has been a trailblazer in blending Japanese culture with her unique musical style, including collaborations with Yellow Magic Orchestra. Agatsuma Hiromitsu, a renowned shamisen virtuoso, has been redefining "tradition and innovation" through performances that transcend genres and borders. The two artists come together for yano et agatsuma and take on tiny desk concerts JAPAN! Joined by Fukasawa Hideyuki on synthesizer, the trio introduces the world to a new type of Japanese music rooted in folk traditions and classic melodies.
Overview
All you need is a small desk and musical instruments. NHK is launching a Japanese version of the worldwide phenomenon "tiny desk concerts," originally pioneered by American public broadcaster NPR. Set in the actual offices of NHK, the series will breathe new life into music as artists perform in a setting that is anything but ordinary.
Episodes
S01E02 KIRINJI
The tiny desk welcomes KIRINJI, Horigome Takaki's solo project he originally formed in 1996 with his brother Yasuyuki. In recent years, the world has fallen in love with Japanese city pop, and KIRINJI is riding...
S01E03 Ohzora Kimishima Ensemble
Following up KIRINJI's performance at Shibuya's NHK offices is singer-songwriter and guitarist: Ohzora Kimishima. Kimishima brings a special ensemble he formed with friends that features Shuta Nishida (Gt), Kazuki Arai (Ba) and Shun Ishiwaka (Dr),...
S01E04 yama
Following KIRINJI and Ohzora Kimishima Ensemble, next up on the tiny desk is yama! The masked and enigmatic singer debuted in 2020 with the hit song Haru wo Tsugeru. Influenced by Vocaloid music, yama's clear...
S01E05 CHARAN-PO-RANTAN
The dynamic sister duo CHARAN-PO-RANTAN celebrates 15 years as a group as they take on the tiny desk! Street performer and accordionist Koharu and her younger sister Momo (still in high school at the time)...
S01E06 Inaba Koshi
Legendary B'z vocalist Inaba Koshi—who has sold over 80 million CDs in Japan—takes on the tiny desk! After releasing his first solo album in ten years and completing a nationwide tour this summer, the singer...
S01E07 ROTH BART BARON
ROTH BART BARON, the globally acclaimed folk rock band helmed by Mifune Masaya, is based in Tokyo and Berlin and renowned for their distinct sound. The group brings a one-of-a-kind performance to tiny desk concerts...
S01E08 QURULI
Since forming in 1996, the legendary band QURULI has held a unique place in the Japanese music scene with their versatile sound. This time, the band has prepared an exciting collaboration with Italian musicians, including...
S01E09 Ozawa Kenji
Ozawa Kenji, a huge fan of the original tiny desk, joins the Japan edition with a lineup as unique as his sound: drums playing the iconic SP1200 live, bass alternating between keyboard and bass, vibraphone,...
S01E10 QUBIT
QUBIT, carrying on the spirit of Yellow Magic Orchestra, joins tiny desk concerts JAPAN! This 5-piece band has been celebrated for their innovative sound, topping the J-POP/Kayokyoku category in a major Japanese music magazine's 2023...
S01E11 yano et agatsuma
"New" Traditional Japanese Music: Piano, Shamisen, and Electronic Sounds Since debuting with her 1976 album JAPANESE GIRL, Yano Akiko has been a trailblazer in blending Japanese culture with her unique musical style, including collaborations with...
