Takeshi Maeda
Ginpo artist/Shakuhachi player
Born in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture in 2001. Started shigin (reciting poetry) at the age of three, studying under Seishin Muramatsu, chairman of the Gakushinryu Fujinomiya Aigin Kokufukai. Won first place at the Tokai Regional Championship at the age of eight. In the same year, won a top prize at the national championship and became a member of the Japan Columbia Gin'ei Concert Society. From the age of nine, he studied under Naoyoshi Sano of the Kinkoryu Shakuhachi Chikuyusha.
He also appeared on NHK's "Nippon no Geino" (Nippon Performing Arts) and became a Kinko-ryu Shakuhachi Chikuyusha master at the age of 15. In the same year, he was selected as one of the "100 People from Shizuoka You Want to Hear Now" in recognition of his achievements in passing on traditional arts. In addition to carrying on Japan's ancient traditions, he is currently active as a shakuhachi player in the trumpet and Japanese drum band "AJATSUKI". He is also active in a wide range of activities, including votive performances at shrines and temples and radio events.
