Emmett Ricks has been playing the Okinawa Shamisen or “Sanshin” since 1999 when he lived there as a missionary for his church. During that time, he fell in love with the people and culture of Okinawa, including the Sanshin and folk music of the region. He studied under Seiji Nakasone who taught him how to play the Sanshin and sing in the Okinawan language. From 2013-2015, he studied Yaeyama folk music while living in Tokyo under Daiku Tetsuhiro. Yaeyama is the southernmost part of Okinawa and Japan. Emmett has performed on many occasions, winning contests in both Japan and the US. In 2014, he earned Sanshin certification in Okinawa. Today, he will be performing with his Japanese Hawaiian friend Laureen Scheid and her two girls as well as his son Thomas Ricks.
Categories: Japan Day Performers