Yukihiro Atsumi

music, Japanese Guitar, Composition, sound-design

About Yukihiro Atsumi

Yukihiro Atsumi is the founder of the revolutionary "Hogaku 2.0" project—a visionary musician who updates traditional Japanese music for the contemporary world and transmits its appeal globally to future generations. Through his innovative Japanese Guitar method, he integrates the principles of classical Japanese music (gagaku, koto, shamisen) established from the Nara to Edo periods with musical systems absorbed by Japan from around the world since the Meiji era.

In 2012, he relocated from Tokyo to Kyoto, transforming a 130-year-old traditional house into his creative base, with a converted storehouse serving as his studio. Here, he continuously explores new forms of Japanese music. His album "Kacho Fugetsu" achieved international acclaim, reaching #1 on iTunes and Apple Music instrumental charts in 16 countries worldwide in 2021.

Hogaku 2.0 Project

The Hogaku 2.0 project represents a new form of Japanese music that integrates the systems of classical Japanese music established from the Nara to Edo periods with musical systems that Japan has absorbed from around the world since the Meiji era. This synthesis creates what Atsumi calls "breathing music," characterized by the fundamental Japanese musical concepts of "breath" and "ma" (intervals).

Japanese music can be called "breathing music" because the tempo of songs expands and contracts according to breathing intervals, with vocals leading and accompaniment following. This differs fundamentally from Western music's steady rhythm based on heartbeat. The concept of "fushi" (melodic phrases) represents musical segments that correspond to natural breathing patterns.

International Recognition

In 2021, Atsumi's works "Kacho Fugetsu" and "Kyo" achieved #1 rankings on iTunes and Apple Music instrumental charts in 16 countries worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Hungary, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Belgium, Chile, and Portugal. This unprecedented international success demonstrates the universal appeal of his innovative approach to Japanese music.

Notable Collaborations

Atsumi has collaborated with renowned artists including DJ KRUSH for his 25th anniversary album "Cosmic Yard" (2018), providing Japanese Guitar compositions based on bunraku puppet theater. He has produced works for Yutaka Oyama (Tsugaru shamisen), Shingo Maeyama (Amami folk songs), and serves as bandmaster for Tokyo Minyo Club, updating folk songs for contemporary audiences while comprehensively presenting music, video, design, and Japanese culture.

What is Zenxury to you?

For me, Zenxury represents the ultimate goal of creating a world where diverse values can be mutually recognized through music. Just as my Hogaku 2.0 project integrates 1300 years of Japanese musical tradition with contemporary global sounds, Zenxury embodies the luxury of cultural synthesis—not material excess, but the profound richness that comes from understanding and honoring different cultural approaches to beauty, time, and expression.

Through Japanese Guitar and the concept of "breathing music," I seek to demonstrate that when people from different cultures appreciate what each has cultivated, share it, and allow themselves to be changed by it, we can create connections that transcend nationality, gender, religion, culture, age, and environment. This is the true luxury—the ability to create revolutionary innovation from Japan while fostering world peace through cultural exchange.

Major Albums & Works

**Japanese Guitar Song Book (2016)** - The first album using "Hogaku 2.0," representing Japanese traditional music through contemporary guitar expression.

**NIPPON NOTE 2.0 (2018)** - A groundbreaking work that updates Japanese music, featuring collaborations with DJ KRUSH that gained international attention.

**Kacho Fugetsu (2020)** - His masterpiece that achieved #1 rankings on iTunes and Apple Music instrumental charts in 16 countries worldwide, expressing Japanese aesthetics through the concept of "beauty of nature in four seasons."

Life in Kyoto

Since relocating to Kyoto in 2012, Atsumi has established his creative base in a 130-year-old traditional house at the foot of Mount Hiei, converting the storehouse into a studio. Living in an Edo-period building allows him to physically experience the values and lifestyle of that era while creating.

The quiet environment, where he can hear insects at night and feel seasonal changes, helps him understand the conditions under which traditional music was cultivated. He collaborates with traditional musicians including gagaku, nagauta, bunraku, koto, shakuhachi, folk songs, and bon odori performers, learning traditional techniques directly from classical artists.

Musical Philosophy & Mission

My ultimate mission is to create a world where diverse values can be mutually recognized through music. I believe that by first understanding and loving our own culture, we can interact with other cultures on equal terms, ultimately contributing to world peace. When Japanese people become aware of the history and appeal of Japanese traditional music and culture, they can exchange with other cultures from a position of cultural equality rather than inferiority.

Through international performances of Japanese Guitar, I've experienced how communicating from a position of cultural pride changes the quality of interactions. When I play 300-year-old Japanese pieces abroad, audiences respond with maximum respect and appreciation. This demonstrates that cultural authenticity, not imitation, creates meaningful cross-cultural connections and contributes to the innovative potential that Japan can offer to the world.

Loading content...

Links

Website YouTube Spotify Apple Music Bandcamp Instagram

SupportYukihiro Atsumi

Show your appreciation and help preserve traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Your support enables artists to continue their practice and pass on their knowledge to future generations.

... supporters

Support Artists

Your support helps fund their next masterpiece

Exclusive Access

Behind-the-scenes content from their creative process

Community Recognition

Be recognized as a valued patron of the arts

Made to Order

CommissionOriginal Work from Yukihiro Atsumi

Commission a one-of-a-kind original piece from this artist. While production takes 3-6 months, you can follow the creative process and receive a truly unique work made just for you.

Production Certificate

Issued as NFT

Production Time

3-6 months

Ownership Certificate

Converted on delivery

Pricing varies by project scope

Diamond Members Only

Business Consultation

Upgrade to Diamond membership to unlock direct business consultations with artists. Book events, negotiate sales contracts, and explore exclusive collaboration opportunities.

$500 USD per month