The members of Wasabi, a quartet who plays traditional Japanese instruments, are all used to fans and the politics of backstage meet-and-greets. However, they were surprised to see one particular fan after a recent 11 a.m. performance at a high school in Nara.
After the show, the band headed to the dressing room for a bento lunch box, when, according to shamisen player Ryoichiro Yoshida, "All of the sudden, the door to the dressing room opened without a knock and a young female student rushed in. She almost exploded, and said, 'I was so moved by the show, your music is so cool!'
"I was a bit startled when she burst into the room, but I was motivated by what she said. I realized that if we give young people a chance to hear authentic traditional music, they could really get into it."