Kaoru Kakizakai

Kaoru Kakizakai began monitoring the shakuhachi with Katsuya Yokoyama following his graduation from Aoyama Gakuin College or university in 1982. Then graduated through the NHK Traditional Music Conservatory. He earned the Grand Award from the All Japan Hôgaku Competition. He participated in the initial and second Globe Shakuhachi Festival kept in Boulder, CO, (1994 and 1998) and initial and second Australian Shakuhachi Celebration. Kakizakai participated in lots of of Katsuya Yokoyama’s CDs and movies. In 2000, he performed using the NHK Symphony Orchestra “November Guidelines” through the well-known Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, a concerto for shakuhachi and biwa. Since 2000, he is a lecturer on the Tokyo University of Music. He also frequently travels abroad.