was a prominent Japanese shamisen player and rōkyoku singer.
Early life At the age of 14 Kunimoto attended a Bill Monroe concert in Tokyo and shook his hand, thus inspiring Takeharu to play bluegrass.J-Pop World interview
Musical career In addition to performing and recording traditional music, he was also the only prominent shamisen player to perform and record bluegrass music; he spent some time in the 2000s in the bluegrass program of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. He also performed and recorded in a rock music-influenced style.
Death Kunimoto died at the age of 55 on December 24, 2015, following an illness.Bluegrass Today: Takeharu Kunimoto passes
Discography Contributing artist The Rough Guide to the Music of Japan(1999, World Music Network) The Last Frontier: Appalachian Shamisen (2005, Now and Then Records)
References
External links Takeharu Kunimoto page from Last Frontier site Takeharu Kunimoto page J-Pop World interview
Video Music video for "Tai Tai Zukushi"