The documentary film “Tsugaru Kamari” by Tsugaru Shamisen player Chikuzan Takahashi will be premiered on November 3 at 2 theaters in Aomori prefecture.

The first generation Takehashi Takahashi was performed in various places as an accompaniment to Unchiku Narita, who was highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad and was called the “Father of Tsugaru folk songs,” and he played “Ringo-bushi” and “Sasa no Sanzan”. It is said that he was the first person to spread the Tsugaru shamisen nationwide because he arranged the shamisen songs in folk songs. Born in Nakahiranai-mura, Higashitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture (now Hiraiuchi-cho) in 1910, and passed away in 1998 at the age of 87. The second generation, Takahashi Takeyama, is currently the name.

The director, Koichi Onishi, said that he visited Aomori 20 years ago. "I traveled to Lake Juso in the winter. I was impressed by the snow scene and the abandoned ship that was washed up on the beach," he recalls. After completing the “Sketch of Myak” released in 2011, he envisions the work. It is said that the shooting started in the spring of 2015 due to the cooperation of the Takeshinkai, which was established by the first Takeyama disciples, and the consent of his grandson, Tetsuko Takahashi.

The shooting period was about 2 years, and the total shooting time reached 200 hours. It took about a year to edit and completed the video of the stage the day before he died and the sound source of that time. According to Mr. Onishi, the title comes from the word "Tsugaru Kamari (meaning scent in Tsugaru dialect)" that the first Takeyama often used.

Mr. Onishi said, "I think the performance of Takeyama, the first generation who experienced the bottom of the world, is "universal music" and expresses the climate of Tsugaru and the essence of human beings." "I would especially like young people to see it. I would be happy if something could be felt from the playing and way of life of the first generation Takeyama."

The first screening will be held at Aomori Shochiku Amze (Aomori City Midori) and Cinema Village 8 AEON Kashiwa (Tsugaru City Inamori). At Aomori Shochiku Amze, the second generation Takeyama will hold a concert to commemorate the release on November 2, the day before the release. On the 3rd day, which is the first day, we are planning a stage greeting by Mr. Onishi and the performers at each theater.

The screening time is 1 hour and 44 minutes.