Japanese musician learns to play violin again with prosthetic arm after bike accident
Manami Ito (Japan) has many strings to her bow, as proven by the fact she’s represented her country at the Paralympics, worked as a nurse, and most recently secured a spot in the record books.
The 42-year-old features in Guinness World Records 2027 as the first violinist with a full prosthetic arm.
She claimed this title after performing at a medical conference in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, on 5 Aug 2012.
Manami has played the violin since she was a child. Yet, after losing her right arm in a traffic accident in 2004, she spent years thinking her musical days were over.
However, thanks to a custom artificial limb and encouragement from her mother, Manami taught herself how to play her beloved instrument again.
She told us: “It was my mother seeing me [lose my] dominant arm and [be unable to] even hold chopsticks, saying, ‘You cannot play violin anymore’.
“I remembered that I had not been able to fulfil a promise to my mom, who asked me: ‘Play for me one day.’
“Since I realized that, I decided to play the violin for my mom whatever way I could.”
It took Manami three years to build up the confidence to play in front of an audience again.
“I did not want people to see me,” she revealed. “I think I was feeling weak.
“What helped me overcome this was my desire to give back to the people who made my prosthetic arm. I began performing in various places after I realized that playing in front of many people would be a way of repaying their kindness.”
The former Paralympian explained to us how she uses her artificial limb.
“It is not possible to produce sound just with the prosthetic arm. I use my entire body to adjust the angle of the strings and change the strength of the sound.
“The wire that runs from the left shoulder to the back is pulled using the movement of the right shoulder blade, and by moving the joints in the prosthetic arm, the bow attached to the end of the arm is moved to play the violin.
“I attach a guide rod to prevent the bow from falling,” she added.
As Manami can no longer play with as much pressure, she uses a heavier cello bow and attaches a weight to it.
Manami took up swimming as a rehabilitation activity after her motorcycle crash.
This led to her competing in the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Manami then retired from the sport to focus on her nursing career and subsequently start a family with her husband.
This wasn’t the end of her Paralympics journey though…
Manami got to play her violin at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Games.
“It was a moment when I felt that, whether it be in music or sports, not giving up and taking on challenges can lead to something.
“It was a view and experience I will never forget,” she shared.
“I didn’t imagine that I would manage to join the ceremony as a performer that I couldn’t participate [in] as an athlete.”
Back in 2019, Manami appeared on an American talent contest called The World’s Best.
The celebrity judges were astounded by her audition.
Actress Drew Barrymore said: “I think not only are you talented but your perspective on life is something that the world definitely needs.”
TV host RuPaul added: “It was absolutely beautiful and it really made me proud to witness your grace and your way of overcoming adversity.
“This is a lesson that every human alive needs to learn.”
Read more inspiring stories in our Arts and Entertainment section.