“What a waste of talent…this is awesome,” one Twitter user commented.
Visit any elementary or junior high school throughout Japan and you’re bound to hear the dulcet tones of a recorder, as it’s a staple of the music curriculum. Twitter user @oktj_ has taken it one step further and learned how to play the recorder with her nose. This is nothing new; people have been playing the recorder with their nose for a long time now. One man even played a game of Super Mario using his nose and a recorder.
No — what is impressive is that she can play two recorders at the same time. Not only that, she can play two separate melodies at the same time.
世界に一つだけの鼻 pic.twitter.com/XxUz1PTbhL
— はるか2号👃 (@haruka_2go) January 13, 2020
In the video, @oktj_ , or Haruka as she goes by on Twitter, is playing SMAP’s “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” (“The One and Only Flower in the World”). The song is one of the best-selling songs of all time in the Japanese charts and despite being released in 2003, it’s still well-loved and a staple at karaoke. But Haruka deliberately posted her video with the caption “The One and Only Nose in the World“, as both nose and flower are pronounced hana in Japanese.
It is definitely an impressive talent, and many people were keen to congratulate Haruka on her performance. “It’s amazing that you can perform different melodies at the same time! How long did you practice for?” one user asked.
Haruka replied, “I’ve been a member of the swimming club at school for three years now, so I had a lot of practice breathing through my nose.”
While her efforts at swimming club have definitely contributed to her talent, it’s clear that Haruka has been practicing for a long time, or at least since September 2018.
https://twitter.com/oktj_/status/1036873919427371009Twitter was full of mixed praise for the recorder performance.
“That’s an impressive lung capacity!”
“Wonderful!”
“Please teach me your ways!”
“What a waste of talent… this is awesome.”
“I feel like this isn’t the most productive use of her obvious talent.”
“Unbelievably, I actually watched the whole video. Thanks for the wonderful music.”
While many people were amazed with her talents, a lot of commenters were puzzled by the presence of a packet of sliced bread on the table while she performed.
“Does the bread have any particular meaning?” one Twitter user inquired.
“It’s delicious,” Haruka replied.
But if you look closer, it appears that she is using it to balance the left recorder, as it is slightly shorter than the recorder on the right. “In fact, I purposely ate some of the bread to get it to the right height,” Haruka added.
“I was so intrigued by the bread that I couldn’t focus on the music at all,” added another Twitter user. “When is the expiration date?”
“Three days ago,” Haruka replied.
And finally, the most important question: “Don’t the recorders smell bad?”
“I only use my nose for blowing out, so they don’t smell,” Haruka remarked. “If I breathed back in through my nose though I’d probably die.”
And Haruka isn’t content with just two recorders. “The next step is to add more recorders,” she commented on Twitter. One netizen remarked, “If you add a harmonica and play it with your mouth, you’ll have a full orchestra!” and Haruka was quick to respond. “If I’m using my mouth to play, I’ll have to try to play using my ears next.”
We’re certainly looking forward to seeing her efforts in the future. Perhaps she’ll extend her musical repertoire to include a two person harmonica duet?
Source, featured image: Twitter/@oktj_
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

90-year-old Japanese gamer grandma breaks world record, praises Grand Theft Auto 5【Video】
Japanese paralympic athlete plays emotive violin piece using her prosthetic arm as the bow【Video】
Learn how to crush walnuts with your butt from Japan’s Guinness World Record holder【Video】
Japanese flutist keeps her cool, plays beautifully even with a butterfly crawling across her face
Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” played on Japanese instruments? Yes, please!【Video】
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese musicians create incredible music and visuals using open tape reels【Videos】
Pikachu and Katy Perry co-star in adorable, uplifting ”Electric” music video【Video】
Man buys CD from amateur musician on streets of Tokyo, stomps on it in front of her face【Video】
Utada Hikaru sings incredible new one-take version of “First Love,” 26 years after original release
Japanese mom’s son crashes her piano recital, melts the Internet’s heart【Video】
Nanami “Seven Seas” Nagura wins 2018 Air Guitar World Championships in Finland【Video】
Video game director/composer Yumi Hashimoto tells us about Japan’s indie scene and her newest title