Fusion Minyo: Suzumeno Tears

Is minyo still alive? In the commercial J-pop or underground alternative music scenes of big Japanese cities, the traditional Japanese folk songs rooted in daily life rarely reveal themselves. Yet through the seasonal festivities of Obon, a Japanese summer festival honoring ancestral spirits, minyo continues to thrive, rooted in the land and spirit of community.

Suzumeno Tears brings new energy to minyo through the traditions of Goshu Ondo, a festival song originating from the Kansai region that is typically performed during Obon dances. Blending Bulgarian polyphony and Brazilian instrumentation with the distinctive rhythms of Japanese folk melodies, the group creates a uniquely vibrant sound.

Performing from their repertoire of culturally kaleidoscopic songs, Suzumeno Tears invites you to experience minyo as it lives and evolves, grounded in heritage and teeming with creative spirit.