Noriko's Story
Noriko was born and grew up in Japan in a family of four, with working parents and one older sister.
When she was six years old, she began learning Tsugaru Shamisen under the influence of her father and then worked on mastering folk songs and Tsugaru Shamisen for a further eight years.
Being a six year old girl learning Shamisen had its challenges but despite this Noriko pushed hard to continue. Giving up was not an option and would not have been viewed favourably given her desire to play in the first place.
After this initial period of constant Shamisen study, Noriko significantly reduced her playing to focus on academic and sport club activities, finally ceasing practising Shamisen altogether.
Noriko's passion for new interests developed, only occasionally playing Shamisen at school events or friends' parties. She did not fully immerse herself into Shamisen and it fact it took a turning point in her life for her to reassess everything.
徳子は共働きの両親と一つ年上の姉の四人家族として日本で生まれ育った。
6歳の時に父親の影響で津軽三味線と出会い、それから8年間民謡と津軽三味線の習得に努めた。当時6歳の少女にとって三味線の習得は苦痛と思える内容もあったが、自ら三味線を習いたいと、父親に懇願したため途中での断念は許されなかった。その後、中学校へ進学し学業及び部活動に専念する事を理由に14歳の年にそれまで毎週欠かさず通っていた稽古を辞め、三味線から一旦遠ざかった。そして、新たなる興味へ情熱を燃やした。時折行なわれた学校でのイベントや友人のパーティなどで三味線を演奏することはあったが、本格的に三味線に没頭する事はなかった。そんな徳子に転機が訪れる。
Noriko underwent treatment for cervical cancer which had developed in 2003 and this had a profound impact on her perspective. In order to realise the dream of living overseas she launched straight into action, resigning from her corporate job and moving to Melbourne, Australia in 2004.
She commenced as an assistant Japanese teacher and it was within the school environment that she realised the general interest in Shamisen and Japanese music. From playing intermittently in breaks between classes and activities, Noriko began performing at local school events as well as private parties. With her revitalised passion for Shamisen, Noriko began playing 4-5 hours a day, often busking on the streets of Melbourne. She once again became captivated by the sound of the Shamisen and felt completely different compared to her younger years of playing.
2003年に発症した子宮頚がんの治療に伴い、今後の人生の歩み方を深く考える。兼ねてからの夢だった海外生活を実現させるべく、2004年に勤めていた会社を退職しオーストラリアのメルボルンに日本語アシスタント教師として移住する。その際、オーストラリア人や現地の人々との交流の手助けになればと思い、三味線を持参した。日本語アシスタント教師の活動の合間を見ては三味線を弾く日々が始まった。時には現地校でのイベントや、プライベートパーティの催しとして演奏したり、暇を見つけてはメルボルン市内の雑踏の中道端で4時間、5時間と三味線を演奏する日々が続いた。
With sheer passion and perseverance Noriko begun to collaborate with a wide variety of musicians performing at renowned festivals and events throughout Australia. Understanding the experience that the Shamisen offers as well as the boarder-less potential, Noriko also performed internationally in countries such as China, Korea, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and so on.
In 2013 Noriko gave birth to her first child and this also gave birth to a new sense of motherhood. This has given Noriko great enthusiasm and shaped her identity into a sensitive Japanese mother, an immigrant and a woman, and helped her look at experiences from various perspectives.
This is heavily reflected in her Shamisen performances and it is with equal enthusiasm that Noriko continues to challenge and evolve her future self.
2013年に第一子を出産し、母としての感性にも目覚め、日本人として、移民として、女性として、母として、様々な観点から物事を見つめ、その感性を三味線演奏に反映させながら更なる可能性に向けて活動を続けている。
今後の活動としては、あらゆる分野のミュージシャンとのコラボレーションはもちろん、Womanismに焦点をあてた演劇などにもチャレンジし、今までの人生より感じた喜怒哀楽を表現していきたい。
My wikipedia page is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noriko_Tadano