Rin'

In 2003, Yoshinaga Mana, Nagasu Tomoka and Arai Chie graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. The trio formed Rin' together, a group that combined traditional Japanese music with more modern styles. They made their debut performing at Meguro Gajoen at the end of the year. Soon after they were signed on by avex trax and shortly afterward, in April 2004, they released their debut single Sakitama.

The name "Rin'" has a number of meanings: from the English word 'ring,' the Japanese word 'wa' which translates to both 'ring' and 'Japanese style,' and finally from Rin''s hope to create a 'ring' or circle of music.

A month after the release of Sakitama, their debut album Jikuu was released. With this new album they captured the public's attention: the title song from this album was used in a CM for “Hair make earth.” Their song Fuhen was also used in the TV anime “SAMURAI 7.” Rin' proceeded to follow this with a steady flow of releases including second album Asuka which was also released in 2004.

As their interesting style caught the notice of the public, Rin' began to tour and perform in various high-profile events. In January 2004, prior to the release of Sakitama, they held a concert in Shanghai for the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Exhibit. They went on to perform at the John Lennon Music Festival at the famous Nippon Budokan, the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi and also at the 92nd National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC in 2004. In the following year Rin’ returned to the Americas for a four-date tour in Mexico in October.

In 2006, Rin' combined with Domo Records to produce an American debut album. "We are interested," according to Rin', "in making Japanese music accessible to the American ear. The thousand year spirit in our instruments has a soul that needs to be heard." Inland Sea was therefore released in Europe and the United States on April 25, 2006 and in Japan on August 30, 2006. The album featured guest performances by Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer and Lisa Loeb.

The month after the release of Inland Sea in North America, Rin' travelled to the US and performed in Los Angeles and New York City. In March 2007, the trio traveled to China to perform in three different places. On December 5 in the same year, they released a mini-album titled Genji Nostalgy. On January 16, 2008, Rin' performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil to commemorate the 100 years since the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in Brazil.

Unfortunately the year after this overseas performance, the group seems to have minimized their activities. It was finally announced that in February 2009 that Rin’ was disbanding and the members were to go their separate ways. Mana Yoshinaga went on to start a solo career focusing on playing her koto and working with the producer Daiju Takatou. Tomaka Nagasu is also beginning a solo career whereas there is currently no information regarding Arai Chie's career endeavors.