Welcoming pianist Yoko Takano - A talk and performance reflecting on Tsuguharu Foujita and Misao Takano in Paris -

Event Overview

We welcome pianist Yoko Takano, daughter of painter Sanzo Takano, who spent time in Paris with Tsuguharu Foujita, to share her memories of Foujita and the Takano family. Yoko's words, which give us a glimpse into the real Foujita, are an invaluable testimony of Paris and art at the time. Yoko also achieved many brilliant feats as a pianist, including being the first Japanese to win an international competition. Please enjoy her entertaining stories and performances.
In the special exhibition room, with the cooperation of Yoko, we will be holding "Tsuguharu Foujita and Misao Takano: A record of friendship during wartime - from the former collection of Misao Takano." We hope you will enjoy this as well.

Date and Time

Saturday, August 2 , 2025
Doors open : 13:30 / Show starts: 14:00 (scheduled end time : 15:20 )

venue

Salon Le Damier at Karuizawa Ando Museum of Art

Storytelling and performance

Yoko Kono

profile

Yoko Kono

Born in Montparnasse, Paris in 1931 as the daughter of painter Misao Takano. She began playing the piano at the age of four and studied with Magda Tagliaferro at age seven . In 1940 , she returned to Japan and studied piano with Kazuko Yasukawa. In 1946 , at the age of 15 , she enrolled in the Tokyo Music School (now Tokyo University of the Arts) as the youngest student. In her third year, she returned to Paris and entered the Conservatoire (now the National Superior Conservatory of Music), where she studied piano with Lucette Decab and chamber music with Joseph Benvenuti.

He graduated from the Conservatoire with a Premier Prix at the age of 19 , and graduated from the Chamber Music Department of the same conservatory the following year. He then studied under Hans Richter Haaser at the Detmold Conservatory in Germany.

In 1954 , he won unanimous first place in the piano division of the Viotti International Music Competition in Italy, becoming the first Japanese to win such an international competition. After his time with NHK , he performed with renowned orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, La Scala Orchestra, Venice La Fenice Theater Orchestra, and the Michelangeli Piano Festival Orchestra, giving over 50 concerts a year. From 1965 , he studied under Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli for four years. Since 1979 , he has lived in Tokyo.

 

Event Overview

Date and time	Saturday, August 2 , 2025 Doors open : 13:30 / Show starts: 14:00 (scheduled end time : 15:20 )
venue	Salon Le Damier at Karuizawa Ando Museum of Art
Ticket prices	Thanks to your support, all tickets have been sold out. We would like to express our sincere gratitude. We sincerely apologize to those who were unable to purchase tickets. Please also note that there are no plans to sell tickets on the day of the event. Event ticket: 4,000 yen (tax included) Event + Museum Ticket: 6,000 yen (tax included) * If you have an annual passport, please purchase an event-only ticket. When using your annual passport, please present your ID (driver's license, health insurance card, etc.) at the reception on the day.
Precautions	・Please note that tickets cannot be cancelled. ・The event will be held in the museum salon. In order to protect the artworks, please refrain from bringing in bouquets of flowers or other plants. ・If you have a fever or cold symptoms, please refrain from attending. - Please refrain from any behavior that may disrupt the performance or make noise that may cause inconvenience to other customers. ・There is no parking lot at Karuizawa Ando Museum of Art. If you are coming by car, please use the nearby paid parking lots, such as the town-run parking lot on the south side of the main building. However, please note that nearby paid parking lots may be full, so we recommend using public transportation.