Mikiya Kaisho was born in Osaka, Japan in 1991. He began playing the guitar at the age of 4 and won many competitions from an early age.

 

In 2018, he graduated his master’s degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) with distinction.

 

In 2019 he started his study of lute and theorbo at the University of Music and Performing Arts Frankfurt (HfMDK).

 

In 2022, just three years after taking up the lute seriously, he won 1st prize at the 11th Maurizio Pratola International Early Music Competition (Italy).

 

In 2023, his solo recital at The Phoenix Hall in Osaka became an exceptional sold-out success, receiving extensive coverage from major newspapers and music magazines. In recognition of this achievement, he was awarded the 60th Osaka Cultural Festival Encouragement Prize by the Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and the Kansai-Osaka 21st Century Association.

 

In 2024, he embarked on a nationwide recital tour, Mikiya Kaisho Recital Tour 2024 "DOWLAND", performing the works of Elizabethan composer John Dowland in eight cities across Japan. The tour received widespread acclaim, with tickets selling out in multiple venues.　

Additionally, the recording The Lute Music of John Dowland, which he uploaded to his YouTube channel after the tour, garnered 45,000 views within just one month, attracting worldwide attention.

 

Renowned for his refined technique, warm tone, and profound musicality, Kaisho is gaining international recognition as one of the leading lute players of his generation. As a specialist in Renaissance and Baroque music, he is also actively engaged in research on historical performance practices and the rediscovery of forgotten composers. In addition to his work as a soloist, he frequently performs as a continuo player with various Baroque orchestras and ensembles.

 

Kaisho has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and scholarships, including:

 

・60th Osaka Cultural Festival Encouragement Prize (2023)

・Yao City New Artist Award (2024)

・Trainee of the Japanese Government’s " Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists " (2020-2021)

・Nomura Foundation Scholarship (2020-)

・the Germany Schlarship (2022-2023)

・Rohm Music Foundation Scholarship(2025-2026)