On March 28, Riki Yokosuka, who lives in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, started a one-week training under Tsugaru flute player Bunta Sato.

Yokosuka is now 15 years old. He started playing Wadaiko at the age of 3 under the influence of his father who hit Wadaiko at Bon Odori competitions. In November of last year, he made his professional debut as a member of the "Super Taiko Boys", a Japanese taiko group led by Hiroyuki Hayashida, a former member of the Japanese taiko group "Kodo". The meeting with Mr. Sato was triggered by accompanying me on the 2013 France tour.

Mr. Yokosuka visited Hirosaki for the first time in the same year as a pilgrimage to Yamasaki and climbed Mt. Iwaki with Mr. Sato. Touching the mountain climber, Bayashi, says, "I'm addicted to the world of flutes. The more I practice, the more interesting it is." It was his second training after the end of 2013, but he was put on hold at the end of last year because he was preparing for a high school exam. “I was able to safely enroll in the school I volunteered for,” said Yokosuka with a smile. As it was possible to enjoy spring vacation on a sunny day, Mr. Sato decided to live and practice.

Mr. Sato says, "I want to participate in this year's dedication competition for mountain climbers in Aomori Prefecture." The tournament, which is also called a festival of Hayashi, decides the best Hayashi hand in the Tsugaru area. "If you participate, you may be the first participant from Kanto," he said.

During the one-week training, he not only practiced the flute, but also attended Mr. Sato's attendant. On the same day as the first day of training, she appeared at "Shirakami Candle Night in Meiya" held at Beach Nismeya (Nishimeya Village, Nakatsugaru-gun). There was also a scene where the cheers rose and the audience danced, with Sato-san co-starring the original songs and mountain climbing.

Mr. Yokosuka says that he has decided to enroll in Fukasawa High School in Tokyo, which is famous for having a Japanese drum club from April, and wants to continue playing the whistle while continuing to play Japanese drums. "I want to be a person who can transmit Japanese music to the world and who can be used in the world," he says with enthusiasm.