Nakai Tomoya Koto/25-string Koto New album “Eternity” to be released. Advance sales start at the “Nakai Tomoya Koto/25-string Koto Recital 2024 ~ETERNITY~” concert venue! – Ise-Shima Economic Newspaper

“Eternity” (CAMUS RECORD) will be on sale from October 10th (Thursday) on the online store of Nakai Tomoya’s official website. “Nakai Tomoya Koto and 25-string Koto Recital 2024 ~ETERNITY~” Tokyo performance will be on sale from September 16th (Monday, public holiday) at 14:00 at Yamaha Hall (7-9-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) and Mie performance will be on sale from September 28th (Saturday) at 15:00 at Tsu Region Plaza Oshiro Hall (23-1 Nishimarunouchi, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture). Concert tickets are on sale at the organizer’s office, ePlus (Tokyo performance only) and Mie Prefectural Cultural Center ticket counter (Mie performance only).
Tomoya Nakai’s seventh solo album “Eternity” is his first in four years, featuring all original works for the koto and 25-string koto.
▼Comment from Tomoya Nakai
Over the past four years, the world has changed dramatically, and I have also experienced many difficult times, such as the loss of a loved one. However, even in these times, I have been able to move forward by composing music and playing the koto. Based on these experiences, the theme of this album is to express my gratitude for being able to continue my creative and performing activities, and to provide healing to the hearts of those who listen to my music.
For the recording, I selected all original songs that I have written since 2020. They contain various contents and backgrounds such as “pieces written as insert songs for plays”, “drama-style pieces”, and “events that happened to me before composing”, but what all the songs have in common is that they have a story. I tried to structure the songs in a way that would create a worldview of the story. I hope you will listen to them in various situations and immerse yourself in the world of your own story.
The participating artists are all specialists. Please enjoy to your heart’s content the pleasant tones and harmonies that can only be achieved with them, and the world of stories woven by the koto.

[Track List]
01 Beyond Time
02 Dreaming at Dawn
03 Flower of the Evening Mist (Longing)
04 TRAVESTI
05 Eternally
06 Oracle～The Dream of Princess Yamato～
07 Tears of the Tora-Gozen
08 Semimaru
09 The Moon on a Rainy Night
10 A Single Plum Blossom
＜member＞
Tomoya Nakai (Koto, 25-string Koto) / Yoshika Nagasu (Biwa) / Suiho Tosha (Flute) / Hiroyasu Nakajima (17-string Wagon) / Shozan Hasegawa (Shakuhachi) / Kaoru Serizawa (Bass) / Hitomi Aikawa (Percussion) / Kyoko Osako (Keyboard)
＜Product Information＞
『Eternity』
[Price]2,750 yen (tax included)
[Specifications]1 CD
[Seller]CAMUS RECORD
【Product】CAMUS-0012
[Release date]September 16th (Monday, national holiday) and September 28th (Saturday), 2024: Pre-sale at the recital venue / October 10th (Thursday): Available at Nakai Tomoya’s official web store / November 20th (Wednesday): Available at major domestic online shops and digital distribution sites

[Music Video]
“Beyond Time” by Tomoya Nakai (25-string koto) and Hiroyasu Nakajima (17-string koto) (From Tomoya Nakai’s official YouTube channel)
・Concert information

[Tomoya Nakai Koto and 25-string Koto Recital 2024 ~ETERNITY~ Tokyo Performance]
Date and time: September 16, 2024 (monthly celebration) opening at 13:30/starting at 14:00
Venue: Yamaha Hall (7-9-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
＜Performers＞
Tomoya Nakai (Koto, 25-string Koto) / Yoshiyoshi Nagasu (Biwa, Shakuhachi) / Suiho Tosha (Flute) (Tokyo performance only) / Hiroyasu Nakajima (17-string) / Shozan Hasegawa (Shakuhachi)

Advance tickets: 5,000 yen / Door tickets: 5,500 yen / Students: 2,500 yen / (All seats reserved, tax included)

[Tomoya Nakai Koto and 25-string Koto Recital 2024 ~ETERNITY~ Mie Performance]
Date and time: September 28, 2024 (Saturday) Opening at 14:30/Starting at 15:00
Venue: Tsu Region Plaza Castle Hall (23-1 Nishimarunouchi, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture)
＜Performers＞
Tomoya Nakai (Koto, 25-string Koto) / Yoshika Nagasu (Biwa, Shakuhachi) / Hiroyasu Nakajima (17-string) / Shozan Hasegawa (Shakuhachi)

Advance tickets: 4,500 yen / Door tickets: 5,000 yen / Students: 2,000 yen / (All seats reserved, tax included)

(Tokyo performance only) Tickets on sale now at eplus
https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4069260001

(Mie performance only) Tickets are on sale at the Mie Prefectural Cultural Center ticket counter
https://www.center-mie.or.jp/ticket

Official website
https://tomoyanakai.com

Tomoya Nakai (Koto, 25-string koto)
Graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music, Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. While also performing the koto and jiuta shamisen, he is mainly active in performing the 25-string koto, which has a wider range. He composes music with a new sense based on myths, literary works, Noh, etc., and collaborates with various genres. He has appeared on NHK Educational TV’s “Amazing Japan! The Latest Form of Classical Performing Arts” and “Entertainment Kiwami-do,” as well as NHK BS’s “New BS Japanese Songs.” In 2018, he appeared at the event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sweden, and decorated the opening concert. He will be performing and in charge of the music for the new kabuki production “Touken Ranbu – Tsukitouken Engi-kiri” in 2023. He will be performing, composing, and serving as the musical director for “Recitation x Japanese Instruments: Tenshu Monogatari” and “Poetry and Music Drama: Shara no Hikari – From the Tale of Genji.” In 2016, he received the Mie Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award. He has released six solo albums so far.
Long beard and beauty (biwa・shakuhachi)
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Department of Traditional Japanese Music, majoring in Shakuhachi. Winner of the Grand Prize and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Encouragement Award at the 9th Hase Kengyo Memorial National Traditional Japanese Music Competition. Made his major debut with the Japanese musical instrument unit Rin’. Winner of the New Artist of the Year award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards. Appeared in the new kabuki production “Touken Ranbu – Tsukitouken Engi-kiri.” Played the role of Osatsuma, singing and playing the biwa. Participated in the soundtracks for the NHK morning drama “Massan” and the anime “One Piece.” He has attracted attention as a rare shakuhachi and biwa player.
Tosha Suiho (flute) *Tokyo performance only
Born in Tokyo. Studied under his grandfather Tosha Shuho, uncle Tosha Nao, and father Nakagawa Yoshio, and was granted the name Tosha Suiho in 2004. Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Music with a major in Japanese music and ensemble. Received the Jōkanshō, Doseikai Newcomer Award, and Acanthus Award while at the university. Appeared in concerts and Japanese music programs such as the National Theater’s “Japanese Music and Dance Appreciation Event for Tomorrow.” Member of the Mashiho and Seitokai groups. Held the “Tosha Suiho Flute Club” at Kioi Hall in 2017. A cultural ambassador for the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2020-2021.
Hiroyasu Nakajima (17-string)
He studied under Goto Sumiko, Higuchi Masayo, and Hamane Yuka. He graduated from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. He has performed in front of the Emperor at the Tokagakudo Hall of the Imperial Palace. He received the Ibaraki Prefectural Governor’s Encouragement Award in 2023. He received the Newcomer Award at the 38th Ibaraki Prefecture Newcomer Concert. He received the Kenjun Award at the 20th Kenjun Memorial Kurume National Koto Music Festival Competition. He received the Grand Prize and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 28th Hase Kengyo Memorial National Traditional Japanese Music Competition. He has held the 4th Koto Recital at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and has toured the country on recitals. He is the head of the Nakajima Hiroyasu Koto Research Laboratory.
Hasegawa Shōzan (Shakuhachi)
He studied under Fujiwara Dozan. He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and completed his graduate studies at the same university. He is a recipient of the Doseikai Award and the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Festival 2022 Grand Prix and Tokyo University of the Arts President’s Award. He is a master of the Tozanryu Shakuhachi Association (public interest incorporated foundation), a member of the Japan Sankyoku Association (public corporation), the Japan Shakuhachi Performers Network (JSPN) (incorporated association), and the Tozanryu Dozankai. He is a member of the shakuhachi ensemble “Fuga Takein”. He is a lecturer at Hosei University Sankyokukai. He is an education and research assistant at Tokyo University of the Arts. He is currently running the multi-track recording project “Zenmi Shozan” on YouTube. He is affiliated with DO Co., Ltd.
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