The 2023 Yasugibushi National Competition was held from August 15 to 17, and Ms. FUKUMOTO Iona (3rd year, Faculty of Law), a member of the Okayama University Hogaku Club, won first place in the general, associate teacher, and stringed sections!

The 619 people who made it through the rigorous qualifying rounds from 6 blocks across the country participated in this competition, and were divided into classes and categories from 2nd grade to master, and competed with each other with the aim of becoming the best in Japan.

Ms. Fukumoto, the winner of the competition, commented on the results, "Since I started performing Yasugibushi in the first year of junior high school, I have performed at many events, mainly in my hometown, such as consolation performances at senior citizen homes, senior citizens' gatherings, and various other events, in addition to my daily practice and school work. I think this is the result of my daily efforts for self-improvement without giving up, even in the midst of the difficult circumstances such as the suspension of performances in various areas due to the Corona disaster, the cancellation of the national convention for three years, and the halving of the membership of the Yasugibushi Preservation Society, which had about 4,000 members nationwide," she said.

Yasugibushi is a folk song with a history of more than 300 years, born in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. The Yasugibushi Preservation Society has held a national competition once a year for the purpose of passing on and spreading Yasugibushi. The competition was cancelled for three years since 2020 due to the coronavirus, and this year was the first time in four years that it was held.

In such an environment, Ms. Fukumoto has continued to practice hard day in and day out, and this has resulted in her victory this time. The sight of Ms. Fukumoto, who bears the future of Yasugibushi, brought excitement and smiles to the faces of many people.