4. Yoshida Brothers (
)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_CzD0GBD-4 The Yoshida Brothers are, unsurprisingly, two brothers named Yoshida Ryoichiro and Yoshida Kenichi. They come from Noboribetsu in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island. They both play the shamisen - the long-necked, guitar-like instrument we saw in the Waggaki Band. They've been studying and playing the shamisen for almost their entire lives. At the age of five, they studied the Minyo-style under a master called Adachi Koka. Then, in 1989, they switched to the Tsugaru-style and studied under a master named Takahashi Sasaki. Like the Waggaki Band from entry eight, the Yoshida Brothers are known for their blending of Japanese and Western musical styles, specifically rock. Between 2000 and 2010 they've released thirteen albums, eight for the international audience and five for the Japanese audience.