Reigakusha

**Reigakusha** is a Japanese ensemble dedicated to preserving and reinventing *gagaku*, the ancient court music tradition dating back over 1,300 years. Founded in 1985 by master musician Sukeyasu Shiba, the group breathes new life into this ethereal art form by blending meticulous historical accuracy with modern collaborations. Their work spans faithful renditions of classical pieces (like the haunting "Etenraku") to boundary-pushing projects with contemporary composers, as seen in releases such as *D'Haene: Music with Silent Aitake’s* and *Gagaku Suites*. Reigakusha’s performances, featuring instruments like the shimmering *shō* (mouth organ) and the stately *hichiriki* (double reed flute), transport audiences to both imperial court rituals and avant-garde soundscapes, proving gagaku’s timelessness. Whether onstage or in recordings, they’re keepers of a sonic legacy that’s anything but frozen in time.