More Info on KitaroSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Hatnote|"Kitaro" and "Kitarou" redirect here. For the GeGeGe no Kitaro character, see Kitaro (GeGeGe no Kitaro) .BLP sources|date=May 2010Infobox musical artist|image=Kitaro 5.jpg|name = Kitaro||image_size = 200|background = non_vocal_instrumentalist|birth_date = Birth date and age|1953|2|4|origin = Toyohashi, Aichi|Toyohashi , Aichi Prefecture , Japan |instrument = Singing|Vocals , guitar , piano , keyboard instrument|keyboards , synthesizer , Japanese flutes, Percussion instrument|percussion |genre = Instrumental music Electronic music New Age music|New Age Folk music|Folk |occupation = Composer Record producer Arranger |years_active = 1975-present|associated_acts = Far East Family Band|label = Geffen Records|Geffen / Warner Bros. Records (US) Geffen Records|Geffen / MCA Records (US) Domo Records Columbia Music Entertainment|Nippon Columbia Vertigo Records Nihongo| Masanori Takahashi |????|Takahashi Masanori, better known as Nihongo| Kitaro |???|, (4 February 1953) is an award-winning Japanese musician , composer , and multi-instrumentalist who is regarded as a pioneer of New Age music|New Age music.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p2645/biography|pure_url=yes|title=Biography: Kitaro|last=Kohanov|first=Linda|publisher= Allmusic |accessdate=22 May 2010
Early life
After graduating, Kitaro moved to Tokyo to experience and become a part of the music scene, and it was there that he discovered the synthesizer . His first Analog synthesizer|synthesizer was analog, and recalls having “just loved the analog sound that it made compared to today's Digital synthesizer|digital sound ”.
His parents were first opposed to the idea of their son having a musical career. In an effort to maneuver him towards their vision, they made arrangements for him to take a job at a local company. In return, he left home without telling them. He supported himself by taking on several part time jobs such as cooking and civil service work, while composing songs at night.
In the early 1970s, he changed completely to Electric keyboard|keyboards . He joined the Japanese music group Far East Family Band which was formed in 1965, and toured with them around the world. While in Europe , he met the German Electronic music|electronic music and former Tangerine Dream member Klaus Schulze . Schulze produced two albums for the band and gave Kitaro some tips for the use of synthesizers. In 1976, Kitaro left "Far East Family Band" and travelled through Asia ( China , Laos , Thailand , India ). http://www.diaa.net/kitaro/index.php
Solo projects
Back in Japan, Kitaro started his solo career in 1977. The first two albums Ten Kai and Full Moon Story became cult favorites of fans of the nascent New Age movement. He performed his first symphonic concert at the 'Small Hall' of the Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Kaikan|Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
;Silk Road The Silk Road|Silk Road : The Rise And Fall Of Civilizations is an NHK Tokushu documentary series that first aired in April 7th, 1980, broadcast over a 10 year period. It took 17 years in production to complete what many consider a landmark in Japan's broadcasting television history. http://www.nhk.or.jp/digitalmuseum/nhk50years_en/history/p20/index.html It was the intention of the program to reveal how ancient Japan was influenced by the Silk Road trade route. The documentary was narrated by http://asianwiki.com/Koji_Ishizaka/ Ishizaka Koji with music composed by Kitaro. It was at Kitaro's insistence early on that the show be broadcast in stereo. The music was composed mainly using a Minimoog|Minimoog . The success from the series of soundtracks that were created from the program brought Kitaro international attention and sold millions.
;1986-1992 He entered into a worldwide distribution arrangement with Geffen Records|Geffen Records in 1986. This included a re-releasing of six prior albums titled Astral Voyage , Full Moon Story , Millennia , India , Silver Cloud and Asia (each packaged with Japanesque obi strip s) as well as a new album, the aptly titled, Towards the West . In 1987, he collaborated with Mickey Hart|Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead for the album The Light of the Spirit|Light Of The Spirit and in 1992 with Jon Anderson ( Yes (band)|Yes ) for the album Dream (Kitaro album)|Dream . In 1988, his record sales soared to 10 million worldwide following a successful US tour. He was nominated three times for a Grammy award during his tenure at Geffen Records. His soundtrack for the movie " Heaven & Earth (1993 film)|Heaven & Earth " won a Golden Globe Award for Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score .cite news|url= http://www.chinapost.com.tw/art/2007/11/07/129919/Kitaro-to.htm|title=Kitaro to move heaven and earth at Taipei show|date=November 7, 2007|work= The China Post |accessdate=17 March 2012 In 1989, he wrote the Japanese Theme for the film Return from the River Kwai|Return From The River Kwai .
Kitaro produced an album with former Megadeth|Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman (musician)|Marty Friedman for the Shrapnel Records|Shrapnel Records album release Scenes (album)|Scenes . Kitaro has also worked with Hong Kong Cantopop singer Anita Mui|Anita Mui on the song "Years Flowing Like Water" "????".
When asked about his music, he said, "I never had education in music, I just learned to trust my ears and my feelings." He credits ‘powers beyond himself’ for his music, saying, "This music is not from my mind. It is from heaven, going through my body and out my fingers through composing. Sometimes I wonder. I never practice. I don't read or write music, but my fingers move. I wonder, 'Whose song is this? ' I write my songs, but they are not my songs."Citation needed|date=February 2007
1994 to present
; Domo Records|Domo Records Since his 1994 début for Domo Records|Domo Records , the Grammy-nominated Mandala (Kitaro album)|Mandala (featuring a bold use of electric guitar), Kitaro has released twelve studio albums. Among them, the live An Enchanted Evening (Kitaro album)|An Enchanted Evening (1995), the deeply spiritual Gaia-Onbashira|Gaia Onbashira (1998) and Ancient (Kitaro album)|Ancient (2001), all Grammy nominated. In 1999, Thinking of You (Kitaro)|Thinking of You , which allmusic.com calls a “journey to ecstasy” and “one of the most beautiful CDs of all time,” " http://allmusic.com/album/thinking-of-you-r442666 won the Grammy for Best New Age Album. In total, Kitaro's albums with Domo Records have received 11 Grammy nominations.
; Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai ( Kitaro )|Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai series Kitaro’s music has long been recognized for its messages of peace and spirituality . In the wake of 9/11 , the artist began recording Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai|'Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai , an intended series of peace-themed albums ( Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol.1|Vol. 1 released in 2003; Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 2|Vol. 2 in 2005, Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 3|Vol. 3 in 2007, Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 4|Vol. 4 in 2011), inspired by the Shikoku Pilgrimage|Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage traveled by Kukai|Ku-Kai more than 1100 years ago. The events of September 11, 2001 occurred while he was en route from Japan to Los Angeles. Kitaro's flight was diverted to Honolulu for five days, during which time the conceptual endeavor, which he envisioned as an artistic means to help unify people globally, first took shape. Every track on Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai Volumes 1 through 4 contains samples from ancient Japanese temple bells (Peace Bells) from 88 sacred temples on the island of Shikoku , Japan and is intended to inspire spiritual awakening and a profound sense of peace in its listeners. It is Kitaro's life work to travel the Shikoku Pilgrimage|Shikoku Pilgrimage , record every bell sound from each temple to compose 88 songs individual songs to complete the series and his message of peace.
; Impressions of the West Lake|Impressions Of The West Lake In 2007, Kitaro composed the music for Impression West Lake , a large-scale opera, directed by renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou . The opera reflects the city’s history and culture through music and dance. Using modern technology, the stage is 75 centimeters below the lake’s surface during the day so as not to affect the landscape and boating activities. In the evening, the stage is a few centimeters below the lake’s surface so actors can walk and perform freely over a surprisingly water mirror that compose with the lights and colors. The one-hour event had its opening night in March 2007. In 2009, Domo Records|Domo Records released the original soundtrack album Impressions of the West Lake|Impressions Of The West Lake which was nominated for a Grammy Awards of 2010|Grammy Award .
;Touring and other activities In 2007-2009 he launched the ‘Love and Peace World Tour,’ an international tour with which Kitaro hoped to inspire his message of world peace with his music. Kitaro toured Southeast Asia in 2007, Greece in 2008 and Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia in 2009. During his visit to Greece, Kitaro met Greek musician and composer Vangelis , and exchanged musical experience and creative ideas. In 2010, Kitaro performed in Singapore in March, in Mexico for the Zacatecas Cultural Festival in April, in Xian China for the opening event of Daming Palace National Heritage Park in September, in Aichi Japan for the Thousand Drums Event at COP10 for the Convention on Biological Diversity in October. In March - April 2011, Kitaro toured Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. He donated part of the CD sales and concert profits to Tohoku earthquake and tsunami Relief.
While Kitaro has been touring, Domo Records|Domo Records has released Kitaro's Grammy Nominated compilation Album, Kitaro's soundtracks to ''Toyo's Camera and 442 - Live With Honor, Die With Dignity as well as the Grammy Awards of 2011|Grammy Nominated Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai ( Kitaro )|Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai, Volume 4 .
Personal life
From 1983 until 1990 Kitaro was married to Yuki Taoka. Yuki is a daughter of the late Kazuo Taoka , third godfather of the Yamaguchi-gumi , the largest Yakuza syndicate. Kitaro and Yuki had a son, Ryunosuke, who lives in Japan. They reportedly separated because Kitaro worked mostly in the United States while Yuki lived and worked in Japan. In the mid-1990s, Kitaro married Keiko Matsubara, a musician who played on several of his albums. Along with Keiko's son, the couple lived in Ward, Colorado on a 180 acre (72.85 hectare) spread and composed in his 2500 square foot (230 m²) home studio "Mochi House" (it is large enough to hold a 70 piece orchestra). About 2007 they relocated to Sebastopol, California .
Awards
; Grammy Award|Grammy Awards Kitaro has received fourteen nominations, winning once in 2000.
awards table|- | align="center"| grammy|1987 ||The Field || Best New Age Performance || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|1990 || Kojiki (Kitaro album)|Kojiki || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|1992 || Dream (Kitaro album)|Dream || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|1994 || Mandala (Kitaro album)|Mandala || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|1995 || An Enchanted Evening (Kitaro album)|An Enchanted Evening || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|1998 || Gaia-Onbashira|Gaia Onbashira || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2001 || Thinking of You (Kitaro album)|Thinking Of You || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || won|- | align="center"| grammy|2002 || Ancient (Kitaro album)|Ancient || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2003 || An Ancient Journey || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2004 || Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol.1| Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai Volume 1 || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2006 || Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 2|Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai Volume 2 || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2008 || Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 3| Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai Volume 3 || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2010 || Impressions of the West Lake|Impressions Of The West Lake || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom|- | align="center"| grammy|2011 || Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol. 4| Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai Volume 4 || Grammy Award for Best New Age Album|Best New Age Album || nom end ; Golden Globe Award|Golden Globes
Kitaro won a Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe Award for Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score in 1993 for Oliver Stone's Heaven & Earth (1993 film)|Heaven & Earth .
; Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards|Golden Horse Award (Hong Kong)
Kitaro and Randy Miller won a Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards|Golden Horse Award for Best Original Score for the The Soong Sisters (film)|Soong Sisters film in 1997. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120164/awards
; Hong Kong Film Award|Hong Kong Film Award
Kitaro was nominated at the Hong Kong Film Award|Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Original Film Score for Si Shui Liu Nian in 1985.www.imdb.com/name/nm0003317/awards
Kitaro and Randy Miller won a Hong Kong Film Award|Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Score for the The Soong Sisters (film)|Soong Sisters in 1998. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120164/awards
; Japan Gold Disc Award|Japan Gold Disc
Kitaro won a Japan Gold Disc Award|Gold Disc Award in the category of Fusion Instrumental for his album Kojiki (Kitaro album)|Kojiki in 1991 http://www.golddisc.jp/award/05/index.html
Discography
List|date=March 2012Wikify section|date=January 2010;Studio Albums
The Ultimate Kitaro Collection: Silk Road Journey (2012)
div col end In addition the various record companies who have distributed Kitaro's music have released several compilation albums over the years. Quite a few of them are listed here -> http://www.kitaromusic.com/catalog1.htm http://www.gigapolis.com/kitaro/en/discography/cds/kitaro_cds/index.php
References
Reflist
External links
http://www.domomusicgroup.com/kitaro/index.php Kitaro Official site (English)
http://www.diaa.net/kitaro/index.php Kitaro Official site (Japanese)
Persondata|NAME=Kitaro |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Takahashi, Masanori |SHORT DESCRIPTION= Composer , Record producer , Arranger |DATE OF BIRTH= February 4, 1953 |PLACE OF BIRTH= Toyohashi, Aichi|Toyohashi , Aichi Prefecture , Japan |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= DEFAULTSORT:Kitaro Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:People from Aichi Prefecture Category:New Age musicians Category:Japanese musicians Category:Ambient musicians Category:Grammy Award winners
