A Chinese music concert held in Gifu, Japan facilitates cultural exchanges between Japan and Jining. [Photo/sdnews]

A special Chinese music concert featuring the yangqin, a hammered dulcimer, was held in Gifu, Japan on Feb 23, with Jining and Taku, Japan also participating.

Renowned yangqin musician Zhao Yong played the melodious tunes at the event, intertwining the cultural sentiments of Jining, Gifu, and Taku.

In addition, the event featured exhibitions displaying images of the Kong Family Mansion and Temple of Confucius, imbuing the concert with elements of Jining culture.

The event features a photo exhibition showcasing the Kong Family Mansion and Temple of Confucius. [Photo/sdnews]

Jining's Qufu, the hometown of the great philosopher Confucius, had its Confucius Temple inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. Gifu, named after Confucius' hometown of Qufu, boasts a deep connection to the philosopher, while Taku, Qufu's sister city in Japan, is home to Taku Seibyo, one of Japan's three major Confucian temples, with a history spanning millennia.

The concert not only transported the audience back in time as they experienced the allure of traditional Chinese music but also served as a cultural bridge between China and Japan, fostering greater understanding and appreciation between the two nations.