Rin'

Rin' is a Japanese pop group that combines traditional Japanese instruments and musical styles with pop and rock elements. It is a female trio from Tokyo formed by alumni of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, who graduate in 2003. The group makes its live debut in December 2003 at Meguro Gajoen.

Members and instruments

The trio consists of Chie Arai, Mana Yoshinaga and Tomoca Nagasu. Arai and Yoshinaga play koto, sangen and jushichi-gen, while Nagasu plays biwa and shakuhachi. All three members also sing.

Name and releases

The group’s name comes from the English word “ring”, the Japanese word Wa (和), which can mean both “ring” and “Japanese-style”, and the group’s intention to create a musical circle. Rin' releases its first single, Sakitama, through avex trax in April 2004. The group goes on to release four singles and several albums.

Style and work

Rin' performs at venues around the world and has songs used as themes for anime and films. Fuhen is the best-known example, appearing in the anime Samurai 7. Its international album Inland Sea is released worldwide, with a Europe and United States release in April 2006 and a Japan release in August 2006. The album includes guest appearances by Leigh Nash and Lisa Loeb.