Smart attire and sharp movements. Kunihiko Komori, a marimbist (marimba player), is a musician with the air of an athlete. The artist, who has dedicated his life to the marimba, spoke passionately about this instrument and invited us to the "temple of music" in Ginza.

Marimba, an instrument I chose because of my maniacal personality

Kunihiko Komori actively performs solo concerts and concerts both in Japan and abroad, teaches at universities, and is active as an up-and-coming marinist. The marimba is a keyboard percussion instrument that consists of a giant xylophone with a resonant pipe. The largest ones are 5 octaves and nearly 3 meters long, and are characterized by a light, graceful, and clear tone, but can also express a wide range of powerful and profound sounds.

Since her mother was a vocalist, she learned vocal music from an early age. When he was in elementary school, he played drums and was in a YMO copy band. When he entered high school, he formed a fusion band that copied the likes of Cassiopeia and Chick Corea. Komori, who has been immersed in music ever since she can remember, decided to pursue classical music at a music university. He then moved to the United States and entered the Eastman School of Music. He admitted that he was more suited to playing solo than as a team player, and from around this time he aspired to become a marimba player.

My hometown is Omotesando, Tokyo. His unique musical activities set in Japan

After graduating from university, he furthered his studies at Johns Hopkins University Graduate School and began his professional career in the United States. He has spent a total of 11 years in the United States, and has also performed throughout Europe through collaboration with a Dutch instrument manufacturer. ``I could have lived abroad forever, but my instinct to return home was strong, so I returned to Tokyo.''

For Komori, who was born and raised in Omotesando, Tokyo, Ginza has been a part of his everyday life since he was a child. I came to Ginza tonight to look for sheet music, CDs, etc. at the Yamaha Ginza Building. One of the largest general musical instrument stores in Japan, ``It's great that you can check a wide variety of music scores and books.'' There is also Yamaha Hall, a famous concert hall, on the upper floor. ``I like the capacity of Yamaha Hall because it's the perfect size for marimba and it's easy to play.''

Mr. Komori collaborates with Noh and contemporary art, updating the world of marimba and expanding its possibilities through his own unique activities. Marimba has its roots in Africa and is said to have originated in South America as classical music in the 20th century. ``It's very rewarding because it has a short history and is still developing,'' he said. Every day, we work in solidarity with musicians and composers around the world, pioneering things that no one else has done, and working to make our appeal widely known. Currently, work continues with musicians from Japan, Argentina, Finland, and France.

A hidden gem in Ginza that satisfies your heart and palate

As an artist, Komori says that in addition to choosing a venue to hold a concert, it is also important to choose a city. "I think people who go to a concert are thinking about where to eat afterward. Ginza has a lot of restaurants, so it's a place where you can have fun even after the concert."

Lastly, the busy Mr. Komori told us about Ginza's delicacies that he enjoys on a daily basis. This is fried rice from Kotsu Hanten on the basement floor of Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan. "It's so famous that there's a line at noon." We also visited the ``Akita Furusatokan'' on the first floor of the same building. "The soft-serve ice cream is exquisite. My wife and I are so addicted to it that we always get refills." The man, who shines with his desire to create cutting-edge classical music, also showed his friendly side.

Kunihiko Komori

marinvisto

Born in Tokyo in 1969. After studying abroad in the United States, he is based in Tokyo and performs in the United States, Europe, and Asia. At the same time, he is also passionately engaged in educational activities around the world, and currently teaches younger students at Aichi University of Arts.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/komori_marimba/

◆Kunihiko Komori's new CD "Masters, Masterworks" (Nami Records WWCC-2019) was released on May 5, 25. A full-fledged work that also includes the difficult marimba song ``Night Rhapsody.'' Also on sale at the CD section on the 7896nd floor of Yamaha Ginza store.

◆Nagoya performance “Kunihiko Komori Marimba Recital”
Date and time: Saturday, August 2019, 8 Start: 31:18
Venue: Munetsugu Hall (4-15-4 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya)
Inquiries: 052-265-1715

Yamaha Ginza Building
A music complex that opened in 2010 and includes Yamaha's flagship store and hall. The 1st to 5th basement floor is a store floor with a wide selection of pianos, guitars, and other musical instruments. We also stock sheet music, CDs, and miscellaneous goods with music motifs. There is a studio on the 6nd basement floor, a concert salon on the 7th floor, Yamaha Hall on the 9th to 10th floors, and adult music classes on the 12th to XNUMXth floors. The lighting and store interior are beautiful, allowing you to feel the appeal of music in many ways.
7-9-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
11:00～19:30
Closed: 2nd Tuesday of the month
https://www.yamahaginza.com/

Tokyo Transportation Hall
In front of JR Yurakucho Station, the building is familiar to Tokyo residents as the passport center.
http://www.kotsukaikan.co.jp/

[Transportation Hotel](Chinese food) B1F
11:00~, 17:00~ Both will end as soon as the ingredients run out.
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
http://www.kotsukaikan.co.jp/food_shopping/food_tea/183/

[Akita Furusatokan](Akita Prefectural Product Store) 1F
10:00～19:00
Closed: New Year's holiday
http://www.a-bussan.jp/shop/tokyo/