Princess Tsuguko visited Miyazaki Prefecture May 11-13, 2022 as part of UNICEF Caravan, sponsored by the Japan Committee for UNICEF, to raise awareness of children’s situations globally and UNICEF activities.
- meeting with Miyazaki's UNICEF branch
- presentations at elementary and middle school
- workshops for prefectural teachers
- meeting local government officials
Photos:
https://unicef-miyazaki.jp/?p=4416
-----
Suzuki Method’s
November 2022 issue: In Memory of His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito Takamado (includes some photos)
Cello instructor Yoshihiko Terada and piano instructor Sakiko Ishikawa remember the late Prince on the 20th anniversary of his death.
- Prince Takamado had a deep understanding of the Suzuki Method and has greatly contributed to its development
- Prince Takamado began studying cello in August 1993 with Terada using the Suzuki method
- His friend cellist Yo-Yo Ma and then-Emperor Akihito both recommended he study cello before turning 40
- Daughters Tsuguko, Noriko, and Ayako received violin lessons from Yuko Suzuki and piano lessons from Shizuko Suzuki
- Princess Hisako received violin lessons
- He had a good sense of pitch and when his daughters began cello lessons, he'd quietly enter the room with his cello and accompany them ad-lib
- He could only practice cello about 30 minutes a week due to official duties
- Tsuguko listened to her father practicing the first volume of cello instruction "French Folk Songs,” and took up her violin to play along, having memorized the cello music which was not included in the violin teaching songbook
- Terada was chairman of the executive committee for the Grand Concert (1995-1997) and began a campaign to get used instruments from Suzuki members, repair them and sent to developing countries
- However, he did not know how to arrange safe transport to various countries and consulted with Prince Takamado, who made introductions to the Ambassadors of Argentina and Mexico
- Princesses Tsuguko, Noriko, and Ayako and other children played for the First Lady of Mexico during the 1997 state visit
- Prince and Princess Takamado attended a Grand Concert with Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako in 1997
- Prince and Princess Takamado attended a Grand Concert with Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte during the 1999 state visit
- Around 1996, Sakiko Ishikawa took over the daughters' piano lessons from her grandmother Shizuko Suzuki
- Her mother Yuko was teaching the princesses violin and Sakiko had many opportunities to join the Takamado family at recitals and branch activities
- Prince and Princess Takamado were like piano instructors and considered family (Shizuko's grandchild, Yuko's child)
- Sakiko remembers a surprise coincidence when Prince Takamado attended the same Yo-Yo Ma's concert at Suntory Hall
- Prince Takamado played Saint-Saëns' "The Swan" with Sakiko accompanying on piano at grandmother Shizuko’s birthday celebration
- Sakiko, Yuko, and Prince Takamaro visited local sake shops
- When Sakiko said she wanted to get married during a chat, Prince Takamado mentioned a potential candidate despite an age difference. Unfortunately, the Prince passed away before he could make introductions.
- Sakiko is still single. Her mother Yuko died last year.
- 3 generations of Suzuki are thankful for his great care of them
- Sakiko “would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Princesses Hisako, Tsuguko, Noriko, and Ayako, who are still connected to us today.”
another photo of Princess Tsuguko at the Croatian Embassy on March 5 (confirmed date! yay!)
Linear Mode
