I came upon this blog post today, titled 五嶋龍氏の話と川上昌裕氏（辻井伸行氏の先生）の話 "The words of Mr. Ryu Goto and Mr. Masahiro Kawakami (teacher of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii)" => http://piano2010.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-09-21
The interpretation of the blogger's Japanese writing is beyond my firm grasp, but the gist of it seems to be that the blogger takes issue with some remarks made by Mr. Ryu Goto (violinist who hosts a classical music TV show 題名のない音楽会"Untitled Concert" in Japan).
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This blogger quotes Mr. Goto as saying that "he does not know the concept of something being too difficult", which made him [the blogger] think of Nobu, citing two posts from Mr. Masahio's blog
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525
The blogger wrote below these links:
"Indeed, I noticed the rocking of his body during Tsujii's playing, and I was astonished that 'he never makes a mistake.' Teachers usually poo-poo unnecessary movements, and I would have thought that he (Mr. K) would have been upset with the rocking."
The blogger went on to mention that Mr. Goto did not go to music college and quoting him as saying that "conservatories are for fools," noting that Mr. Goto himself was a physics major at Harvard University. It seems that Mr. Goto derided conservatories for teaching a narrow curriculum.
I am not clear on how these all relate, but it seems that the blogger (who went to a conservatory) rejects Mr. Goto's negative remarks and praises Mr. K's positive words.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the two posts by Mr. K cited in the article, and they turned out to be highly interesting. They were posted in the year 2010, before I was aware of Mr. Kawakami (or Nobu!). In these posts, Mr. K talks about Nobu candidly from the point of view of Nobu's long-time piano teacher. Mr. Kawakami writes at a level of Japanese beyond me, so please take my interpretation below with a large grain of salt and as only a hint of what Mr. Kawakami wrote.
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525
This thing called talent
2010-06-20 Sun
I don't think talent is only limited to those considered a genius, but is something that can be developed in all of us. In the case of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, I did not consider him a genius when I first met him, because he was still a child and his personality was still in rough formation. But it was clear that he possessed something unusual. So, to spot talent in someone, I look for something that distinguishes that person from others.
Speaking of that, one thing that Nobuyuki is different from others is this matter of his rocking his body. Some people consider that a poor reflection on his attitude in piano playing. But a different perspective is that we adjust our thinking so that he can play to his full extent in a relaxed state.
Moreover, it has always been said that his touch, such as keeping very close to the keyboard, is not the best, technically speaking. But again, instead of looking for a weakness, let's consider this as his way of overcoming a challenge, playing in a unique way to bring out a unique tone. Everyone is different, and it is important that we accept that some people develop in a different direction. Instead of criticizing his way of playing, people eventually learn to appreciate the great tone that he generates.
He has "optimism" and extreme "positive thinking." Even if he experiences a small failure in a concert, he does not fret about it. Every performance is a success. Some people consider that strange, and wonder if he is capable of objectively evaluating his own weaknesses. But his talent is different from other people, and he is developing his personality in his own way. His personality may not be readily noticeable, but his personality and talent are definitely there.
People who are considered genius often seem to have something unusual about them. For example, they may not adapt to school life, and might be seen by children as "funny." It is important for those who guide them to allow the talent to develop unimpeded.
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
"I can do it!" the edge of the talented
2010-06-21 Mon
Nobuyuki-kun has compellingly strong mental strength, and is always cheerful and positive. When talking about him, people often say they "never hear a negative remark coming out of his month." It is natural for people to whine and gripe when dealing with realistic barriers such as blindness. But Nobu's reaction is to calmly analyze the situation and although sometimes he comes to the conclusion that "I cannot go in that direction", he would often find a way to achieve what he wants.
Nobu continues to succeed because he is willing to take one small step at a time, and rejoices at the progress, no matter how small. He keeps moving forward in that way, and takes pleasure in doing so.
Nobu-kun has a talent of pulling in all the better things around him. From the time when he was a child, even when the adults around him were downcast, he was always the one who smiled and said "It's okay." He would always analyze things and look for a solution, and somehow things would move in the direction of his resolve.
But in reality he is always facing challenge continuously. At the Van Cliburn Competition, when he was competing against everyone with a huge handicap, the challenge seemed insurmountable. I myself might have thought "This is impossible" and stopped trying. But he believed in himself until the end.
Such mental strength cannot be taught. I feel I have learned from him as a human being, more than I was able to teach him on the piano.
![]()
The interpretation of the blogger's Japanese writing is beyond my firm grasp, but the gist of it seems to be that the blogger takes issue with some remarks made by Mr. Ryu Goto (violinist who hosts a classical music TV show 題名のない音楽会"Untitled Concert" in Japan).
Photo above: Ryu Goto with Nobu on 題名のない音楽会"Untitled Concert" February 2015.
This blogger quotes Mr. Goto as saying that "he does not know the concept of something being too difficult", which made him [the blogger] think of Nobu, citing two posts from Mr. Masahio's blog
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525
The blogger wrote below these links:
"Indeed, I noticed the rocking of his body during Tsujii's playing, and I was astonished that 'he never makes a mistake.' Teachers usually poo-poo unnecessary movements, and I would have thought that he (Mr. K) would have been upset with the rocking."
The blogger went on to mention that Mr. Goto did not go to music college and quoting him as saying that "conservatories are for fools," noting that Mr. Goto himself was a physics major at Harvard University. It seems that Mr. Goto derided conservatories for teaching a narrow curriculum.
I am not clear on how these all relate, but it seems that the blogger (who went to a conservatory) rejects Mr. Goto's negative remarks and praises Mr. K's positive words.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the two posts by Mr. K cited in the article, and they turned out to be highly interesting. They were posted in the year 2010, before I was aware of Mr. Kawakami (or Nobu!). In these posts, Mr. K talks about Nobu candidly from the point of view of Nobu's long-time piano teacher. Mr. Kawakami writes at a level of Japanese beyond me, so please take my interpretation below with a large grain of salt and as only a hint of what Mr. Kawakami wrote.
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525
This thing called talent
2010-06-20 Sun
I don't think talent is only limited to those considered a genius, but is something that can be developed in all of us. In the case of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, I did not consider him a genius when I first met him, because he was still a child and his personality was still in rough formation. But it was clear that he possessed something unusual. So, to spot talent in someone, I look for something that distinguishes that person from others.
Speaking of that, one thing that Nobuyuki is different from others is this matter of his rocking his body. Some people consider that a poor reflection on his attitude in piano playing. But a different perspective is that we adjust our thinking so that he can play to his full extent in a relaxed state.
Moreover, it has always been said that his touch, such as keeping very close to the keyboard, is not the best, technically speaking. But again, instead of looking for a weakness, let's consider this as his way of overcoming a challenge, playing in a unique way to bring out a unique tone. Everyone is different, and it is important that we accept that some people develop in a different direction. Instead of criticizing his way of playing, people eventually learn to appreciate the great tone that he generates.
He has "optimism" and extreme "positive thinking." Even if he experiences a small failure in a concert, he does not fret about it. Every performance is a success. Some people consider that strange, and wonder if he is capable of objectively evaluating his own weaknesses. But his talent is different from other people, and he is developing his personality in his own way. His personality may not be readily noticeable, but his personality and talent are definitely there.
People who are considered genius often seem to have something unusual about them. For example, they may not adapt to school life, and might be seen by children as "funny." It is important for those who guide them to allow the talent to develop unimpeded.
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
"I can do it!" the edge of the talented
2010-06-21 Mon
Nobuyuki-kun has compellingly strong mental strength, and is always cheerful and positive. When talking about him, people often say they "never hear a negative remark coming out of his month." It is natural for people to whine and gripe when dealing with realistic barriers such as blindness. But Nobu's reaction is to calmly analyze the situation and although sometimes he comes to the conclusion that "I cannot go in that direction", he would often find a way to achieve what he wants.
Nobu continues to succeed because he is willing to take one small step at a time, and rejoices at the progress, no matter how small. He keeps moving forward in that way, and takes pleasure in doing so.
Nobu-kun has a talent of pulling in all the better things around him. From the time when he was a child, even when the adults around him were downcast, he was always the one who smiled and said "It's okay." He would always analyze things and look for a solution, and somehow things would move in the direction of his resolve.
But in reality he is always facing challenge continuously. At the Van Cliburn Competition, when he was competing against everyone with a huge handicap, the challenge seemed insurmountable. I myself might have thought "This is impossible" and stopped trying. But he believed in himself until the end.
Such mental strength cannot be taught. I feel I have learned from him as a human being, more than I was able to teach him on the piano.
Photo above: Mr. Masahiro Kawakami and Nobu (age 7), 1995.