Takumi Kato

加藤拓三 / かとうたくみ

About Takumi

Born in 1981 in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, Takumi Kato grew up practicing the violin. In 2004, he trained for two years with Kodo, a Japanese drum performing arts group based in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture.

In 2008, Takumi won the grand prize in the Big Japanese drum category of the 7th Tokyo International Wadaiko Competition. He then established a studio in his hometown called the “Forest of NUKUMORI”.

In 2009, Takumi performed a series of concerts “connecting the bonds between people, families, & the local community”. To accomplish this, Takumi went door to door in Ena City, performing for 1068 families in one year.

Takumi performed at the dedication festival celebrating the 1900th anniversary of the founding of Atsuta Jingu Shrine in Nagoya. In 2010, he was appointed an ambassador for Ena City. He then performed with Ryoji of the Japanese group “Ketsumeishi” & the Thai DJ BUDDAH in Thailand.

In 2012, Takumi performed the dedication at Ise Jingu Shrine for the “Shinon Appreciation & Japan Taiko Festival”. He was appointed a goodwill ambassador of the Los Angeles-Gifu, Japan Association.

He was asked to compose, choreograph, & produce the Japanese drum performance at the opening ceremony of the 67th National Games where he had the honor to perform in front of their Majesties, the Emperor & Empress of Japan. In 2014, together with JKT48 & in front of 210,000 fans, Takumi performed at the “ENNICHISAI 2014 Jakarta”. Takumi then performed in Cuba at the request of the Japanese Minister of State at the “400th Anniversary of Cuban Friendship”. In 2015 at the “7th Pacific Islands Summit (PALM7), Takumi performed at a dinner held by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe & his wife. He then held a welcome performance for the leaders of the 16 national leaders attending the summit. Takumi then performed at the “Milan Expo” in front of the Duomo (Florence Cathedral), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He also performed at the “39th National Tree-Raising Festival” for His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. In 2016, Takumi received the Gifu Prefecture Arts & Culture Encouragement Award. Following a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Takumi performed with Sachiko Kobayashi at the “International Cultural Projects” in Taiwan. Takumi was then honored to perform for the Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia at the Prime Minister of Japan’s Official Residence. In 2017, Takumi was named Honorary Director of the Tokiwazu Kabuki Theatre in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture. In 2019, Takumi’s performance was filmed for a documentary by the Japan Sumo Association the was exhibited at the Venice Film Festival. Takumi had a support performance for the Taiga TV drama “Kirin Comes”. In 2020, Takumi was appointed as an ambassador to the 76th National Spots Festival. In 2021, Takumi was honored to be a Torch runner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & to compose music for the opening ceremony of the “33rd All Japan Health & Welfare Festival”. Supplement: In 2008, I received the top prize in the big Japanese drum category at the 7th Tokyo International Wadaiko Competition, which is among the world’s most prestigious. Since then, I’ve had the honor to perform for their Majesties the former Emperor & Empress of Japan & the opening of the 67th Japanese National Games. I’ve had the honor of of performing three times for His Royal Highness, the former Crown Prince & current Emperor of Japan at the 67th National Games, the National Tree Raising Festival, & the Agriculture Leaders Summit. I’ve been honored to perform for the leaders of 16 nations at the Pacific Islands Summit & at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. In addition to performing the dedication ceremonies at Ise Jingu Shrine & Atsuta Jingu Shrine, I have performed with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Saori Yuki, Sachiko Kobayashi, Ketsumeishi & many others.


主な経歴・活動

1981

岐阜県恵那市生

2004年

太鼓芸能集団「鼓童」(新潟県佐渡市)にて2年間研修。

2008

「第7回東京国際和太鼓コンテスト 大太鼓部門」最優秀賞・受賞。

同年、スタジオ「ぬくもりの森」設立。

2009年

「人・家族・地域の絆をつなぐ演奏会」実施(1年間で恵那市内の1,068軒訪問)。

「 熱田神宮千九百年祭」。奉納奉祝祭にて演奏。

2010年

恵那市観光大使に任命。

日本「ケツメイシ」のRyoji・、タイ「Thai DJAY BUDDAH」と共演。

2011年

伊勢神宮・奉納太鼓「神恩感謝・日本太鼓祭」出演。

2012年

「アメリカ ロサンゼルス岐阜県人会」親善大使に任命。

「ぎふ清流国体」開会式にて、和太鼓の作曲・振付・指導。天皇・皇后両陛下の御前演奏。

2014年

「ENNICHISAI 2014ジャカルタ公演」(観客動員21万人、JKT48と共演)。

「キューバ友好400周年・」現地にて演奏。日本政府の国務大臣からの直接依頼。

2015年

「第7回太平洋・島サミット(PALM7)」。安倍総理夫妻晩餐会・16か国の島嶼国首脳夫妻・歓迎演奏。

「ミラノ万博」ミラノ市公演。世界遺産にて演奏(デュオモ大聖堂)。

「第39回全国育樹祭」。皇太子殿下の御前演奏。

2016年

「岐阜県芸術文化奨励」受賞

台湾 外務省依頼 国際文化事業 歌手・小林幸子氏と舞台共演。

総理官邸にてサウジアラビア王国副皇太子・総理大臣の御前演奏。

2017年

岐阜県中津川市・歌舞伎舞台「常盤座」名誉館長 就任

2019年

日本相撲協会ドキュメンタリー映画 和太鼓担当 ベネチア国際映画祭 出展

大河ドラマ「麒麟がくる」応援イベント演奏。

2020年

第76回国民体育大会 応援大使就任

2021年

東京2020オリンピック 聖火ランナー 完走

第33回全国健康福祉祭ぎふ大会 ねんりんピック岐阜

■補足

2008年に和太鼓界では世界最高峰とされる「東京国際和太鼓コンテスト・大太鼓部門」で最優秀賞を受賞。翌年、該当者無し。以後、ぎふ清流国体にて天皇皇后両陛下、ぎふ清流大会・育樹祭・農業担い手サミットにて3度、皇太子殿下の御前演奏を行う。太平洋・島サミットでは16ヵ国の大統領、また、総理官邸に和太鼓奏者としてははじめて招待され演奏。伊勢神宮や熱田神宮での奉納演奏の他にも、坂本龍一氏、由紀さおり氏、小林幸子氏、ケツメイシ等との共演を果たす。

 現在は、恵那市の観光大使をはじめ、岐阜県に3つある歌舞伎小屋のひとつ「常盤座」の名誉館長に就任。中村勘九郎さん、七之助さんに続く3人目。日本の伝統文化を発信しています。


Performance & Wok Shop in USA

2001

Bethany Primary, West Virginia University, Pittsburgh PPG, Bethany College, Linsly

2002

Wheeling Park High, Pittsburgh University, Bethany Primary, Bethany College, St. Lawrence, Union, Wheeling Park, Bethany Primary, Bethany College

2003

Kentucky, Aisin, South Rural, Chicken Festival, Lexington KY, South Wirral

2006

Bethany College, Brooks, Jefferson Primary, Steen rod Elem, Wheeling Park, Hundred, Beverly Hills CA, Los Angeles CA, Keiro retirement Home CA

2007

Bethany West Virginia, Ohio, Pittsburgh Japanese School, Hurricane Town Elem, Wheeling Country Day, Beach Bottom Primary, Ravenswood, Ravenswood Grade, Alpine Theater, Rip lay Elem, Rip lay High, Fairplain Elem, Wells Elem, Gauley River Festival, Prizry Theater Virginia, Wellsburg, Station Square Pittsburgh, Criss Elem, Wheeling Park, Franklin Primary, Ogle bay Festival, Brede, Linsly, Capa Hall

2008

Bethany College, Holy Rosary Elem, Aquinas Elem, Mc Ninch Elem, Ohio University Sakura Festival, St. Januarius Church Naples NY, Buffalo University NY, Sllipery Rock Pennsylvania, Zebulon NY, Sakura Ground Breaking Ceremony West Virginia, Prizry Theater Virginia, East Millbook Mid North Carolina, West Liberty Elem, Jefferson Prim, Bethany Commencement Hall , Wells Academy Ohio, San Ford Elem, Capa Hall, Central Elem, Wheeling Park Hall, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Las Vegas Nevada, Grand Canyon Arizona公演

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