Mark Oshima first wanted to study Japan's prewar colonial policy and become an academic, changed his mind and decided to earn a doctorate in 19th century kabuki, and ended up studying "kiyomoto" -- musical accompaniment to kabuki dancing.
Oshima, a Japanese-American born in Colorado in 1960, recently received a lesson from his mentor, Kiyomoto Shisaodayu, in a condominium near the Kabukiza theater in Tokyo's Tsukiji district.
Shisaodayu chose a part from "Michitose," a composition for shamisen used in 19th century kabuki. In the scene, recuperating courtesan Michitose has a secret rendezvous with her boyfriend, Naojiro, who is being pursued.