Japanese Star MIYAVI Rocks Lake Braddock Secondary School

BURKE, VA — More than 650 students at Lake Braddock Secondary School got a chance to learn more about Japanese culture and enjoy a live musical performance when Japanese rock star and actor MIYAVI visited the school.

As part of the kickoff of his North American tour in Washington, D.C., MIYAVI traveled to Burke on Oct. 6 to meet with the students.

"I enjoyed my visit to Lake Braddock Secondary School, where we had a little acoustic performance and panel session with the lovely students. What great energy," MIYAVI said in a statement following the performance. "Hope to see these students again in the bright future, which they are going to make."

During his visit to Lake Braddock Secondary School, MIYAVI also spoke about the importance of his mission as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the message behind each of the songs he played, and his journey as both a musician and actor.

The performance was made possible by a partnership between the Embassy of Japan and Lake Braddock Secondary School to bring Japanese culture to Fairfax County students.

“We were so excited to celebrate Japanese culture together with MIYAVI, and really appreciated the great energy and questions that we received from the students,” said Ryo Kuroishi, counsellor for public affairs at the Embassy of Japan.

“With his music, his art, and his work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, MIYAVI truly embodies a commitment to building international ties, so as diplomats we were proud to partner with his team to bring some of that inspiration to these students,” Kuroishi said.

MIYAVI, born Takamasa Ishihara, has gained recognition for his unconventional guitar playing style. He doesn't use a pick, but instead uses a "slap style" that has earned him the nickname "Samurai Guitarist."

In 2014, MIYAVI appeared in the motion picture "Unbroken," directed by Angelina Jolie. He has contributed voice acting and music to the "Arcane League of Legends" series, appeared in Netflix's "Kate" and acted as Byakuya Kuchiki in the 2018 live-action adaptation of "Bleach."

Along with the visit to Lake Braddock Secondary School, MIYAVI played a show in D.C. as part of his 20th Anniversary North America tour to celebrate his two decades in the music industry.