The 14-year-old winner of the 1988 All-Japan Tsugaru-Shamisen Competition, Hiromitsu Agatsuma, began his studies on this traditional 3-stringed Chinese instrument at the age of six. For several more years, the young artist continued to develop his talents and for two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996 was awarded the prestigious top prize in the Tsuguru-Shamisen National Competition held in Hirosaki, Japan. Receiving high acclaim in Hogaku (traditional Japanese music) inspired Agatsuma to continue exploring the unique qualities of the Tsugaru-Shamisen, and in turn, his own music speciality. On his sophomore release, Beams, Agatsuma blends his many musical influences of jazz, rock fusion and Latin based grooves with traditional Japanese folk music.