Distinguished flutist Kohei Nishikawa studied with Ririko Hayashi at Toho Gakuen Conservatory. While still a student, he became a member of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, performing under Seji Ozawa at Carnegie Hall (New York), the United Nations, and Champs-Elysees Hall (Paris), and went on to become principal flutist of the Osaka Philharmonic for three seasons. He subsequently left the orchestra to pursue career specializing in Japanese bamboo flutes (shinobue and nohkan), and joined the Pro Musica Nipponia in 1980. He was recently soloist in performance of The Tale of Genji by composer Isao Tomita, and in 2000, he was guest soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra for the premiere of composer Diego Luzuriaga's Shinobue Concerto. In addition to these activities, Kohei Nishikawa currently maintains a busy career performing in Kabuki theater and Buyo dance under the stage name Seisho Tosha.