Shiba Sukeyasu (芝祐靖)
Sukeyasu SHIBA (August 13, 1935 -) is a gagakuka, or a musician who plays old Japanese court music, and a member of the Japan Art Academy.
He is from Tokyo Prefecture. He is a son of Sukehiro SHIBA, who was a member of the Japan Art Academy. He is from a gagaku gakushi (musician) family, within the Koma clan, that has been continuing for generations. In 1951, he started to study under Koshin SONO, Chikamasa UE, and Hiroshige SONO. In 1955, he graduated from the Kunaicho gakubu (Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency) school. In 1958, he became a master musician of the Kunaicho gakubu in 1949. In 1964, he received the Art Encouragement Prize, and in 1971, he received the Arts Festival Excellence Award. In 1978, he became a part-time assistant professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1984, he left the Kunaicho gakubu.
In 1985, he became a music director of a gagaku performance group called 'Reigakusha.'
From 1988 (to 2001), he taught as a guest professor at the Kunitachi College of Music. Also in 1988, he received the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts. In 1989, he performed gagaku to introduce it at the Kuhmo Festival in Finland and also at the Music Fest Perugia in Italy. In 1997, he received the Exxon Mobil Award. 1998, he played Kimigayo (Japan's national anthem) at the opening ceremony of the XVIII Olympic Winter Games held in Nagano City. In 1999, he received the Pola Award for Traditional Culture and also the Shiju-hosho (Medal of Honor with the Purple Ribbon). In 2000, he retired from Tokyo University of the Arts. In 2002, he received the Kenzo Nakajima Special Music Award. In 2003, he received the Onshi Prize and also the Award of the Japan Art Academy, and became a member of the academy.