The Matsu Take Ensemble is based in Montreal, Quebec. Its members included: Emiko Toguchi and Yumiko Kanao on koto (the Japanese table zither), Kayo Yasuhara on dance, shamisen (the Japanese 3-stringed lute) and taiko (Japanese percussion), Michel Rakumon Dubeau and Bruno Chikushin Deschenes on shakuhachi (an upright Japanese bamboo flute) and shinobue (a small transverse bamboo flute), as well as Ignatius Kim on taiko. As well, Kayo Yasuhara sings in a traditional Japanese style, while Yumiko Kanao sings in a more modern style. This 6-member ensemble presents a wide variety of folk, traditional and classical songs, including children's schoolsongs, geisha songs, pieces from the honkyoku repertoire written by a sect of zen buddhist monks, and much more. Most of these pieces are original arrangements by Bruno Deschenes, the artistic director.