Akiko Kubota

Akiko Kubota is an acclaimed biwa (traditional Japanese lute) player from Tokyo, known for her expressive performances rooted in the narrative tradition of Heike monogatari (The Tale of the Heike) and other classical repertoire as well as her own new works inspired by folk tales and storytelling. She performs extensively across Japan and internationally — including in Brazil, Indonesia, Bolivia, Hong Kong, Belgium, Germany, and China — and appears in anime, TV, and theater music recordings.

Kubota-san is active in leading ensembles of traditional and contemporary music like Pro Musica Nipponia and Ensemble Muromachi, has explored innovative formats such as biwa futarigatari duo performance (Yanaka Biwa Style), and has won top honors including first place in the Biwa Music Contest and recognition from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.