Takahashi Chikuzan
高橋竹山
6/18/1910 - 2/5/1998
Shamisen
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Takahashi Chikuzan (1910–1998) was a renowned Japanese Tsugaru-shamisen performer and composer. He was born in Aomori Prefecture. He lost his sight at around age two from measles before becoming a live-in apprentice of a Tsugaru-shamisen performer called Toda Jūjirō near his home town. Before World War II he spent many years touring Tohoku and Hokkaido, often busking. After the war he became more widely known, first as an accompanist for the famous Tsugaru folk song singer Narita Unchiku (who named him "Chikuzan"), and subsequently as a solo performer of the Tsugaru-shamisen repertory. His performances, for many years taking place regularly at a small venue called Shibuya Jean-Jean in Tokyo, often featured long solo improvisations, which he entitled "Iwaki" after the tallest mountain in Tsugaru. His most famous disciple, a woman who has assumed the name Takahashi Chikuzan II, continues to perform versions of Takahashi Chikuzan's repertory. Takahashi Chikuzan made a huge number of recordings, many of which are still available.
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| Also Known As 高橋定蔵 (Takahashi Sadazō) |
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Tracks Recorded
| Pieces | Kanji | Length | Album | Instrument | |
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| Tsugaru Yosare Bushi | 津軽よされ節 | 03'26 | Selections from Koto, Shamisen and Shakuhachi | Shamisen |