Morikawa Ryūzan I
初代 森川 竜山
Shakuhachi
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Shakuhachi performer, teacher, writer, and composer Morikawa Ryūzan (Morikawa Sōji) was born on March 1, 1886 in Shinmachi, Tatsuno Town, Hyōgo Prefecture. He graduated from Tatsuno Junior High School in March of 1904 and, in May of 1909, he began working for the Toyo Musical Instruments Manufacturing Company, where he became the office manager. The company went out of business in July of 1918, leading Morikawa to a long career in Tatsuno city government, where he held the office of Assistant Mayor for many years.. In October 1910, he became an early member of the Tozan-ryū, and became the direct student of the head of the school, Nakao Tozan. He progressed quickly through the Tozan-ryū ranks and, in September 1918, took the Jun-Shihan (associate master) exam. After that, he performed in various executive committee concerts, and his compositions, which were his forte, were often selected as prize-winning compositions in the Tozan-ryū. In March 1920, his composition "Natsu no Yo" was officially adopted as a Tozan-ryū honkyoku, and in January 1921, “Aki no No" won the first prize at the Tozan-ryū composition contest. In the same month, he was appointed as a judge for the composition competition. In October 1924, his composition "Hibi no Chō" was selected for the Tozan repertoire. In September of 1921, he was promoted to the rank of Shihan (master instructor) in recognition of his many achievements. He became a highly-regarded Tozan teacher, producing many excellent players. In February of 1931, he was finally promoted to the rank of Dai-Shihan, and his name was often seen in the Tozan-ryū newsletter as well as many contemporary music magazines.
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| Also Known As 森川 宗二 (Morikawa Sōji) |
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Teachers Students
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