Mitsune is a Japanese folk fusion band based in Berlin, with members hailing from Japan, Australia, and Greece. Their sound blends traditional Japanese folk with psychedelic, cinematic and ritual music, serving modern folklore with a punk mentality.
The heart and soul of Mitsune is the Tsugaru shamisen, a traditional 3-stringed lute popularised by blind wandering musicians of olden Japan. Mitsune both honours and modernises shamisen tradition, conveying their own stories through this ancient instrument. Their live show is filled with raw energy, decadent visuals, and a sprinkle of humour.
Since their formation in 2018, Mitsune have performed extensively across Europe, sharing the stage with acts such as Hiatus Kaiyote and surprising audiences at festivals of all kinds, from techno to folk. Their debut album was praised in Songlines Magazine as "consistently excellent. If you need a contemporary introduction to the world of Tsugaru shamisen, this is it." Their second album Hazama was praised in Songlines and Rolling Stone and nominated for the German Record Critic’s prize.
