Ashigaki Kōmei studied Kinko-ryū shakuhachi under Master Tanaka Yasumune of Chikumeisha from age of 10. Later he graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Department of Traditional Japanese Music, majoring in Shakuhachi (Kinko-ryū). During his studies, he learned under Yamaguchi Gorō (Living National Treasure), Yamamoto Hozan (Living National Treasure), and Kawase Junsuke. He also passed the ‘Traditional Japanese Music Performer Audition’ hosted by the Japan Traditional Culture Promotion Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation and graduated from the 45th term of the NHK Traditional Japanese Music Skills Development Programme.
Since then Kōmei has been performing extensively. Starting with a performance of the Kinko-ryū standard piece Koku Reibo as a soloist at the Suntory Hall New Artists Concert, he participated in friendship exchange performances in Pakistan, the USA, Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia, Germany, and Austria, supported by the Japan Foundation as well as participated in performances internationally in approximately 20 countries.
Other events include performances at the opening of the Haneda Airport Terminal 2 opening commemorative event ‘Visit Japan and Koshino Junko Fashion Show’. Performing Sasa no Tsuyu at the National Theatre’s ‘Appreciation Concert for Emerging Traditional Japanese Music Artists of Tomorrow’, performing the Kinko-ryū honkyoku piece Koku Reibo as a soloist at the National Theatre’s ‘Sōseki and Traditional Japanese Music’. He also is a frequent guest on NHK-FM’s ‘Traditional Japanese Music Moments’ and ‘Traditional Japanese Music 100’. Komei also participated in numerous CD recordings and released the solo album Koto-ko-ryū Shakuhachi: Ashigaki Kōmei on the Victor label.
Komei currently teaches at Asahi Culture Centre Yokohama and Yomiuri Culture Centre Kawaguchi, is an Instructor for Shakuhachi Circle Taimu at Sugamo Regional Cultural Creation Centre. He is member of the Japan Sankyoku Association (public interest incorporated association), Koto-Koryu Association, Sankyoku Wakaba-kai, Ota Ward Sankyoku Association, Nerima Sankyoku Federation. Director of Chikumeisha and of Gomei-kai.