Successful bidders receive a Tsugaru shamisen personally used by Beni Ninagawa, along with a special lecture or a mini live performance
HATTRICK Auction (https://auction.hattrick.world/), operated by Valuence Japan, Inc. (Tokyo; Mitsutoshi Tomita, representative director), will hold a two-part auction in collaboration with Beni Ninagawa, shamisen performer of WagakkiBand. The first installment, Connecting Japan and Taiwan: BENI NINAGAWA CHARITY AUCTION – For NOTO –, will begin on January 1, 2026, followed by the second installment, BENI NINAGAWA SPECIAL AUCTION, starting on January 17. The auction will feature two Tsugaru shamisen personally used by Beni Ninagawa during her 10 years of performances with WagakkiBand, combining charitable support with a gesture of appreciation to her fans.
A Project Expressing Gratitude to Fans and Supporters
WagakkiBand entered an indefinite hiatus on December 31, 2024. As the shamisen performer of WagakkiBand, Beni Ninagawa spent ten years performing at the forefront of the group. Her experience in Japanese folk music from the age of four and her Tsugaru shamisen training since elementary school supported the full launch of her solo career. This auction serves as a large-scale special event celebrating Beni Ninagawa’s appreciation, marking both the ten years of her career and hermajor transition from suspended group activities to the launch of her solo career. Centered on appreciation for each connection she has made and those who have supported her along the way, the auction will offer two Tsugaru shamisen that she personally used during her career.
Part 1 — Connecting Japan and Taiwan: BENI NINAGAWA CHARITY AUCTION -For NOTO-
This charity auction aims to support recovery efforts in the Noto Peninsula by extending the circle of meaningful connections, lasting relationships, and mutual support that began through Beni Ninagawa’s encounter with Hikoju Makie, a collective of Wajima lacquer artists.
Beni Ninagawa will visit the successful bidder’s location within Japan or Taiwan to provide a short shamisen lesson and add a personalized inscription to the shamisen on site.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to workshops of Wajima lacquer artisans and used to support reconstruction efforts and the continuation of traditional craftsmanship.
Part2 — BENI NINAGAWA SPECIAL AUCTION
The second installment will be held as a special appreciation event to express direct gratitude to fans who have supported Beni Ninagawa over the years.
Beni Ninagawa will travel to the successful bidder’s location to add a personalized inscription on the shamisen and host a free mini live performance for the bidder to attend. Unlike most live performances held in major cities, this project takes a new approach in which the artist goes to fans directly.
■ Comment From Beni Ninagawa
This project for the HATTRICK Auction centers on the gratitude I have for every connection I have made over the past ten years as a shamisen performer with WagakkiBand, as well as for the journey that led me to begin my solo career after the group entered hiatus.
The two Tsugaru shamisen offered in this auction are especially meaningful instruments selected from the eight I used during WagakkiBand’s ten-year history. Both feature electric bodies and custom acrylic tuning pegs.
The first installment of the auction reflects the relationships formed during the creation of Lycoris, a one-of-a-kind shamisen produced in collaboration with Hikoju Makie. This piece embodies meaningful connections, mutual support, and gratitude built over the course of that journey. The installment also supports recovery efforts following the Noto Peninsula earthquake and reflects a shared belief with Taka Teiren (Wawa), a Taiwan-born artisan who recently assumed leadership of the studio, in bringing Japanese craftsmanship and tradition to the world.
The second installment creates an opportunity to express direct gratitude to fans who have joined me in my journey. Live performances are usually held in major cities, so for this installment of the auction, I will travel to the successful bidder’s location and offer a free mini live performance.
As technology continues to evolve, opportunities for direct human connection are becoming increasingly rare. That is why I want to consciously create spaces like this and cherish the time spent connecting with people on a more personal level.
Video Message
Part 1: https://youtu.be/dsLIqpQ5KIM
Part 2: https://youtu.be/JfLW7Ko17zE
■ About Beni Ninagawa
Beni Ninagawa was born on September 14 in Kyoto, Japan. She began studying Japanese folk music at the age of four and went on to win numerous competitions, receiving prestigious honors including the Chief Cabinet Secretary Award and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award. She started playing the Tsugaru shamisen at age seven and committed fully to the art form at fifteen. Beni Ninagawa has taken part in a wide range of sessions as a Tsugaru shamisen performer and continues to reach a global audience through online video platforms. Her distinctive performance style combines her striking looks and style playing Tsugaru shamisen with powerful rock-influenced sound, earning strong recognition both in Japan and overseas.
■ Overview of Connecting Japan and Taiwan: BENI NINAGAWA CHARITY AUCTION -For NOTO-
Auction period: January 1, 2026 (18:00) to January 11, 2026 (22:00)
Auction item: One Tsugaru shamisen
Included benefits: Mini lecture session; personalized inscription on the shamisen
Auction URL (Japanese Only): https://auction.hattrick.world/top/3082
* In-person visits are available within Japan and Taiwan only. Lectures for those living in other regions will be held online or in Tokyo.
■ Overview of BENI NINAGAWA SPECIAL AUCTION
Auction period: January 17, 2026 (18:00) to January 25, 2026 (22:00)
Auction item: One Tsugaru shamisen
Included benefits: Invitation to a free mini live performance in the successful bidder’s location;
personalized inscription on the shamisen
Auction URL (Japanese Only): https://auction.hattrick.world/top/3083
* In-person visits are available within Japan only. Overseas bidders will receive the merchandise by post and will not be eligible for the free live performance.
■ About HATTRICK
The mission of HATTRICK, owned and operated by Valuence Japan, is to create a sustainable future together with challengers. Valuence Japan operates two services: HATTRICK Auction, which offers rare and valuable items related challengers, and HATTRICK Members, a D2C platform that connects challengers and fans directly. HATTRICK is a new service supporting challengers, including athletes and artists, creating new value through connections with the hearts and minds of fans.
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