Born in Tokyo. Studied Kinko style Shakuhachi under Sofu Sasaki and Fuke Shakuhachi Koten Honkyoku under Chikugai Okamono.
In 1989, awarded ‘Excellence Award’ at the Agency for Cultural Affairs National Arts Festival for ‘Kifu Mitsuhashi First Shakuhachi Recital’ in 1980, ‘Osaka Cultural Festival Award’ in 1981, and ‘Agency for Cultural Affairs (ACA) National Arts Festival Award’ for his solo recital.
In 1991, performed as a soloist at the 100-year anniversary gala concert of NY Carnegie Hall with Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hiroshi Wakasugi.
In 1992, awarded ‘the 10th Nakajima Kenzo Music Prize’, ‘the Arts Pieces Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ for his solo CD ‘Chikurin Kitan, composed by Makoto Moroi and released by Sony Records Inc., and the Incentive Prize of Yokohama Cultural Awards.
In 1994, partook as a soloist in the European concerts by Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kazushi Ono, and received great acclaim for the performances in various places in Europe including Royal Festival Hall in London.
In 1996, awarded ‘Incentive Prize’ at the 8th Hida-Furukawa Music Grand Prize.
From 2004 - 2015, ‘November Steps’ composed by Toru Takemitsu with Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Kent Nagano at Berlin State Opera and Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and then performed with Saito Kinen Orchestra at NY Carnegie Hall as well as with Barcelona Symphon and Orchestre National de Lyon, total of which amounts to 39 co-performances.
In 2009, awarded ‘Grand Prize’ at the Agency for Cultural Affairs National Arts Festival as an individual for ‘Kifu Mitsuhashi Shakuhachi Honkyoku Space Mandara Trajectory of Malice’.
In 2010, awarded ‘The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize,’ and ‘Yokohama Cultural Awards’
In 2011, awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honour.
In 2012, participated in ‘Utakai Hajime (First poetry reading)’ at Imperial Palace.
In 2014, awarded the Heisei 26th ‘Excellence Award’ at the Agency for Cultural Affairs National Arts Festival for three CDs ‘Syoden Sanyaseiran – Kifu Mitsuhashi’ released by Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
In 2015, performed ‘November Steps’ with Kyoto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Junichi Hirokami in Kyoto and Firenze, Italy.
In 2016, held recitals for the concerts by the French music festival ‘La Folle Journée’ in Nantes and Tokyo. In Czech Republic, performed ‘November Steps’ with Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Accompanied the Japan China Korea Cultural Ministers Conference held in Jeju, Korea, and performed.
During the renovation of the memorial year at Kasugataisha Shrine, held concerts in the inner sanctuary. Held recitals in Peking, China.
In 2017, performed ‘Jo-No-Kyoku’ composed by Minoru Miki with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue. Held recitals in Hangzhou and Shenzhen, China.
Currently developing ‘Noble Shakuhachi’ made of synthetic resin for distribution, and have obtained Patent No. 4010979. Developed a new Shakuhachi ‘Uchina Shakuhachi’ for Ryukyu music and obtained utility model Patent No. 3132504. Also produced and developed a Japanese music edification project ‘Reformation of Japanese Music Demon Kagure “Collaboration”’ which celebrates its nineteenth year.
Lessons are held in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kyoto, and Dalian, Peking and Shanghai in China, as well as Taipei and Gaoxiong in Taiwan. The number of recitals in and out of Japan amounts more than 150 times, significantly contributing to introduction of Japanese culture and international relations.
Currently a Grandmaster of Kinko style Shakuhachi. The Patriarch of Kifu-kai of Kinko style Shakuhachi. Member of Japan Sankyoku Association. Affiliate Professor at Osaka College of Music.
|
