KOUKI SATO

Born in Negishi, downtown Tokyo. Born as the eldest son of a min'yo family, he was taught by his family from an early age and began performing on stage.

In 2000, he won the first prize at the Tokyo Min'yo Contest for Boys and Girls.

In 2008, he studied shakuhachi under Keisuke Zenyoji.

In 2011, he entered the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at Tokyo University of the Arts and graduated from the same university in 2015.

In 2018, he became the exclusive shakuhachi player for enka singer ""Ayako Fuji"". In the same year, served as sound producer for the first album "CHERRY BLOSSOM" of the female Japanese instrumental unit "SAKURA J SOUNDS".

In 2020, he made his major debut from avex as the Japanese instrument performance group "Sakura men".

They have released many songs and albums in both Japanese and Western music genres, and are active in concerts and recordings in Japan and abroad.

They also perform at schools throughout Japan and serve as assistant instructors for the Japan Min'yo Association's Youth Division.

As a member of the music production team "ONE TONE," he also writes, arranges, and provides many songs specialized in Japanese music.

While pursuing the "character" of the shakuhachi without being bound by preconceptions or stereotypes, he also plays with an emphasis on the "spirit of song" that he has cultivated through min'yo music.

HP : koukisato.info

Instagram : koukisato108

Twitter : @kouki_shaku8

Participating Groups

Aioi (Japanese instrument orchestra)

Abeya (Japanese Folk Music Performing Arts Group)

IZANAGI (Shakuhachi & Guitar Unit)

SAKURA MEN (Japanese instrument performance group)

MIKAGE PROJECT (Min'yo Project)

RENMA (Minyo group)

ONETONE (music production team)