The idea for Nippon Kobo came from my personal musical journey, particularly my decade-long experience of performing with the Silkroad Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma and now lead by Rhiannon Giddens, where I have had the privilege of creating music with artists from over 30 countries with varying backgrounds, cultures and languages. Through this diverse artists’ collective, I have discovered the power of music and cultural collaboration in creating dialogue, inspiring curiosity and fostering connections in our communities and society at large.

At a time when art and entertainment increasingly live online, as much as I am excited for the evolution of our community, I also have a strong desire to re-introduce the magic of in-person, shared moments that can connect us organically. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced us globally to be physically distant, I believe many of us have rekindled our desire to reconnect with our communities.

Now, I would like to start with sharing the music and culture of my origin, Japan. My wish is for Nippon Kobo to be a place where the diverse Bay Area community can meet, connect, and collaborate through the presentations of contemporary music and culture from Japan.

–Haruka Fujii, Creative Director

Our Mission

Our mission is to create an innovative community of artists, creators, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts from the SF Bay Area to co-create a pathway to a healthier, stronger, multicultural society. Through a curated music concert series paired with contemporary Japanese art and culture, each Nippon Kobo event experience is vibrant and unique. Our goal is to inspire cross-cultural curiosity and dialogue, and encourage co-creation of projects that further our mission.

As an innovative multidisciplinary creative community, Nippon Kobo is a leading destination for musicians to present chamber music in a nontraditional setting. By providing opportunities to collaborate with diverse creative professionals, we expand the possibilities of classical music and strengthen engagement with existing and new audiences.

Artists Bios

Haruka Fujii, Creative Director
Multi-percussionist Haruka Fujii has won international acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary music, having commissioned and performed numerous premiere works from luminary living composers. She has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the San Fransisco Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Nationale de Lyon, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Haruka is the Associate Artistic Director of the Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma, and San Francisco Contemporary Players. Also a founding member of New York based Line C3 Percussion Group, and Utari Percussion Duo with her sisiter Rika Fujii. Her first solo recording Ingredients is available at New Focus Recordings. More

Dice Tsutsumi, Artistic Advisor
Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi, originally from Japan, is an animation filmmaker. A graduate from The School of Visual Arts in New York, Dice has worked as a visual development/art director for blockbuster films such as ICE AGE, TOY STORY 3 and MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. After the success of Dice’s directorial debut, the Academy Award nominated short film THE DAM KEEPER, Dice left Pixar to co-found Tonko House Inc. with Robert Kondo.  Dice is passionate about charity work and spearheaded both The Totoro Forest Project and Sketchtravel and in 2021 was recognized for his charitable contribution to the animation community with the June Foray Award. He is the creator and the director of Netflix limited series, ONI: Thunder God’s Tale which received both the Annie Award for Best Limited Series and Emmy Awards across three categories. More

Yu-Chun Kuo, Program Manager

A native of Taiwan, Yu-Chun joins Nippon Kobo with years of experience in arts administration in support of nonprofit organizations and performers around the world. As an arts management administrator, she has partnered with projects including Play For The Vote, Youth Music Culture Guangdong with Yo-Yo Ma and Michael Stern, and also served as the tour manager for Wu Man and the Huayin Shadow Puppet Band’s North American tour. She currently works as the Director of Program Operations for Stanford Jazz Workshop, and previously as Concert Hall and Recital Manager at Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.