Tsugaru shamisen virtuoso Goshiki Ryuji, "Sound without Sound

At the age of 17, he left Hokkaido for Tokyo with his shamisen wrapped in a furoshiki cloth.
His master taught him only one piece of music, the 6-dan. He did not know how to match strings or even how to hold a plectrum.
He continued to play the shamisen with no effort, wearing himself out both physically and mentally.
He practiced until the sun came up, losing track of time and sparing no time for sleep.
Each note he created was the essence of Ryuji Goshiki's life.
He says, "My role is to help others with the Tsugaru shamisen, and I will never be satisfied with this, so I will study all my life.
Please come and listen to the powerful yet delicate tones of his heart.

Ryuji Goshiki
Iemoto of Tsugaru shamisen Goshiki Ryuji, resident of Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
2002 Received the "Min'yo Technical Achievement Medal" from the Japan Min'yo Association
2020 Received the "Meijin rank" from the Japan Folk Song Society
Currently performs on stage, trains younger performers, and serves as a judge for the Tsugaru Shamisen and Tsugaru Min'yo National Tournament.