Biography

In 1992 Oki received his first Tonkori—a traditional stringed instrument developed by the native Ainu people of Sakhalin. Although the instrument was regularly displayed behind glass in museums, there were virtually no traditional players. Oki devoted himself to studying and the tonkori and soon began making his own. In 1996 he released his first album ‘Kamuy kor nupurpe.’ Shortly after he established Chikar Studio to in order to encourage other Ainu artists and promote the music of Ainu artists to the world. Chikar studio has presently released a total of 20 albums, including titles by the traditional singer Umeko Ando and the all-female ensemble Marewrew, who sing traditional dance songs called “Upopo” with a modern sensibility. Oki Dub Ainu Band features the tonkori in a band setting with drums, bass, keyboard and dub wise. They perform often at Festivals in Japan and overseas. トンコリ伝承者、ベーシスト、彫刻家、ペインター。 旭川アイヌのOKIは１９９３年に樺太アイヌの弦楽器トンコリに出会い演奏と楽器製作を独学で習得。以後、アイヌの伝統を軸足に斬新なサウンドで独自の音楽スタイルを切り開く。OKI 率いるOKI DUB AINU BAND ではアフリカ、ヨーロッパ、アジアなどで開催される海外音楽フェスに多数出演している。これまで運営するレーベル「チカルスタジオ」から23枚のアルバムを制作。2019年はMarewrew “Mike Mike Nociw”と奄美とアイヌの歌合戦の模様を収めた”Amamiaynu “をプロデュースした。 2022年1月にUKのレーベルMais um よりベスト盤 “Tonkori in the moonlight”LP/CD リリース。 HP：www.tonkori.com