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Takemitsu And The Influence Of "Cage Shock": Transforming The Japanese Ideology Into Music, Mikiko Sakamoto

Glenn Korff School of Music: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Creative Work, and Performance

At the turn of the twentieth century, Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996) was regarded both domestically and internationally as a representative Japanese composer. He used elements of Japanese culture– music, gardens, and philosophy – in his music. Ironically, Takemitsu‟s interest in Japanese music and culture was the result of an encounter with American composer John Cage (1912-1992). In turn, Cage‟s unique musical philosophy was influenced by Japanese culture. This document takes a look at the effects of “Cage Shock” on Japanese composers, especially Takemitsu. In addition to presenting both composers‟ incorporation of Japanese elements in their compositions, particularly Japanese Gardens, it also …