安東ウメ子 | it

Umeko Ando (1933 - 2004) was born in Fushiko Ainu village. She was a renowned expert of the mukkuri (a bamboo jew's harp) and upopo (the traditional chanting of the Ainu). Immersed throughout her life with the culture, language and traditions of the Ainu, she became an important successor for the Ainu culture of the Obihiro district. Her participation on Oki's second album, Hankapuy, helped to gain her recognition. Her solo debut album, Ihunke, produced by OKI in 2001, was extolled by many critics and artists, and declared the best world music album of the year by many music publications...