• Tomohiro builds medieval to contemporary hurdy-gurdies and Spanish instruments
• His practice relies on extensive research on Medieval culture, architecture and arts
• He hosts concerts and dance events with specialist musicians

Tomohiro Yoshikawa’s childhood experiences with instruments led him to the guitar, through which he became interested in Spanish language and music. Through university regional studies focused on Spain and Galicia, encompassing their history, language and culture, his attention was caught by folk music and instruments. He went on to study traditional instrument making at Escola Municipal de Artes e Oficios de Vigo (EMAO), and he chose to specialise in making hurdy-gurdies due to the wide-ranging production requirements of the instrument. Tomohiro’s works reflect deep attention to historical plausibility, as he integrates detailed carvings inspired by Gothic architecture, and designs reminiscent of 13th century sculpture and manuscripts. “My instruments are recreations of pieces from the Middle Ages, so we do not have a physical object to refer to,” he explains. “The original techniques for making these medieval instruments have already been lost, so we depend on study and research to interpret what we know.”