OKI DUB AINU BAND

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 pm—Followed by a Private Gathering for Artists and Members

Back by popular demand after his 2022 sold-out tour – Ainu musician OKI (Oki Kano) returns to Japan Society for a one-night-only blowout concert with his OKI DUB AINU BAND! OKI’s band brings its globally-praised trademark fusion of reggae, African rhythms, electronic dub and folk music of the Ainu, Japan’s northernmost indigenous people. Resurrecting the tonkori, a five-string instrument native to the Ainu, OKI has travelled across five continents on his quest to share reconstructed sounds from Hokkaido that were nearly lost to the world. Now, OKI’s full band throws a musical revelry to kick off Japan Society’s summer 2026 Ainu Gallery exhibition opening.

Related event:

Talk Story: Sharing Ainu Culture with OKI
June 5, 2026

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Images: OKI DUB AINU BAND © Courtesy of the artist; OKI performing with his OKI DUB AINU BAND in Hokkaido, Japan, 2023 © Lorraine Turci

2025-26 Japan Society Season Support

Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.; Advocate Sponsor, Mizuho Americas; and Friend Sponsor, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

2025-26 Performing Arts Season Support

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Additional, major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Program support is provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Hisamitsu America, Inc.; Cheryl Henson; Merit E. Janow; Paula S. Lawrence; Akiko Mikumo; Hiroko Onoyama; Richard and Momona Royce; Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura; Nancy and Joe Walker; Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and other Performing Arts supporters.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.