Following the critical acclaim for Tonkori in the Moonlight, Mais Um’s 2022 compilation of OKI’s early work that was chosen as one of the best folk albums of 2022 by The Guardian - and OKI's subsequent European tour which included 3 sold out UK shows - the Ainu maestro returns to the UK for 4 dates this August including a special show in Norwich.

For these shows he will be joined on-stage by his wife Rumiko Kano (vocals, tonkori), son Manaw (drums, tonkori) + long-time collaborator Takashi Nakajo (bass), to revisit his ground-breaking early recordings.

Born on the Japanese island of Hokkaido in 1957, OKI is one of Japan’s most respected heritage artists and the world’s leading player of the tonkori - a 5-string harp performed by the indigenous Japanese Ainu people. OKI mixes traditional Ainu folk songs with international influences as varied as dub, Irish folk, throat singing, African drumming and music from Central Asia.

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23 August : Lewes Con Club, 139 High Street, Lewes BN7 1XS Ticket :£15 + booking fee
https://www.lewesconclub.com/events/oki/

 

26 August : St Mary's Church, 8 Church End, Walthamstow, London E17 9RJ Ticket: £15 + £1.50 booking fee
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/oki-st-marys-music-hall-tickets/13038335

27 Ausut: Norwich Arts Centre, St. Benedict’s Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG £12-£16 + booking fee
https://norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/oki/