Hirotaka Yokome

Hirotaka Yokome was born in Shiraho, Ishigaki Island, and raised by parents who are master instructors of Yaeyama classical folk music. Yokome began training in the sanshin (a traditional three-stringed lute) from early childhood. In his teens he formed his first band with friends. After graduating from high school, he moved to Tokyo where he worked while continuing his music work as a band guitarist. From the beginning of his music career, Yokome has been interested in various instruments and now he plays various instruments such as the bass and the Ichigoichie (a modern Japanese stringed instrument), sanshin, and ryuteki (traditional Ryukyuan flute). Now Yokome is based back on Ishigaki, and performs as a solo artist and collaborates as a support musician for other artists. He is also expanding his musical career through sound engineering (PA) and making of his own CDs independently produced.