Kitamura Sisters, Mao and Miri,
form a harmonious duo of female Tsugaru Shamisen artists.
From a very young age, they were taught Tsugaru Shamisen by their father, Masatake Kitamura, and have appeared in numerous performances. Both sisters have won the Group and Individual categories at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup. In addition to honing their skills on authentic Tsugaru Shamisen, they add unique arrangements to traditional folk songs and play seamless shamisen as a unique sibling unit.
Recently, they have been active in a variety of areas, such as performing with a band that combines Japanese and Western instruments, receiving performance requests from overseas, and starring in Nintendo® commercials.
Mao (Older Sister)
- Winner of the Group category at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by the Aomori Folk Performing Arts Association
- Recipient of the Excellence Award in the Junior category at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by the Japan Folk Song Association
- Winner of the General Women’s category at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by the Aomori Prefecture Folk Arts Association
- Performed at the “Welcome Evening” of the Takamatsu Palace Commemorative World Cultural Awards held at Meiji Shrine
- Overseas performances in Sri Lanka, Italy, Germany, and China
- Featured in Nintendo web commercials and shopping mall commercials
Miri (Younger Sister)
- Winner of the Group category at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by the Aomori Folk Performing Arts Association
- Runner-up in the Junior category at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by the Japan Folk Song Association
- Winner of the Middle and High School categories at the Tsugaru Shamisen World Cup sponsored by Tsugaru Shamisen All Japan Kanagi
- Performed at the “Welcome Evening” of the Takamatsu Palace Commemorative World Cultural Awards held at Meiji Shrine
- Overseas performances in Sri Lanka, Italy, Germany, and China
- Featured in Nintendo web commercials and shopping mall commercials