The Takei Collection and a Brief History of Morishige Takei
Here is a short history of Morishige Takei that was included in the introduction to a book on Takei’s music published in 1965 by Zen’on Music Publishing Company (with some clarifying edits).
During recent discussions (2017) with the Kunitachi College of Music (Tokyo) librarians I learned they plan to catalog the Takei Collection and post the list on their website. I don’t know the schedule for their plans, but it is good to know it is in progress. I visited the library with Jun Sugawara sometime in 1996-97 with only a short list in hand and I was not allowed to see the collection directly. I have a number of articles on the collection published around the time it was given to Kunitachi and when I have time I’ll post translations.
Please see my older article on Takei for additional details.
| 1890 (11 Oct.) | Born in Tottori City. |
| 1911 (March) | Finished the first year grade of the Italian Section of the Tokyo Foreign Language School. Recieved a scholarship fund from the Italian Society. |
| 1911 (10 May) | Went to Italy for study. |
| 1911 (19 Oct.) | Returned from study abroad and returned to the same school as a second year student. |
| 1913 (28 March) | Graduated from the same school first on the list. Given a prize from the Italian Government. Began to learn to play guitar by himself and learned harmony. |
| 1915 (26 Sept) | Began an ensemble of mandolin with Mr. Tsunehiko Tanaka and others. Took the guitar part. |
| 1916 (4 May) | Named the ensemble “Sinfonia Mandolini Orchestra.” Started publication of a monthly journal titled “Mandolin and Guitar.” |
| 1917 (28 Dec.) | Appointed a ceremonial Officer of the Department of the Imperial Household. |
| 1921 (March) | Held a guitar concert. |
| 1921 (26 Dec.) | Held an additional post as Chief of the Music section of the Department of the Imperial Household. |
| 1922 (7 Nov.) | Took over the larger part of the (Philip J.) Bone Library in England and called it “Takei Library.” His guitar music “A music dedicated to Tarrega” and “Picnic” were published. |
| 1923 (21 Jan.) | Sponsored the 1st All Japan Mandolin Ensemble Concours. It was the first occurrence of the concours in Japan. (Called in Italian “Concorso”). |
| 1923 (1 Sep.) | The Takei Library and musical instruments were burned in a fire started from the Great Kanto Earthquake. |
| 1923 (11 Dec.) | The orchestra was restored and named “Orchestra Sinfonica Takei” (abbreviated as O.S.T.). |
| 1924 (1 March) | The monthly journal was renamed “The Study of Mandolin and Guitar” and the first issue was published. |
| 1924 (Oct.) | The first Concert after the restoration was held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the orchestra. Published “Mandolin, Guitar and their Orchestra” in book form. |
| 1924 (28 Oct.) | Sponsored the First Concours of Composition (called “Concorso” at that time) The prize-winning music was performed in the 16th Concert of the O.S.T. |
| 1924 (30 Nov.) | Held the Second All Japan Mandolin Orchestra Concours. |
| 1924 (Dec.) | Mr. Calace, a famous Italian mandolinist, visited Japan. A concert was held by the O.S.T. |
| 1925 (April) | Four European music libraries were taken over and the “Takei Library” was restored. |
| 1925 (Oct.) | The book “Glimpses of Mandolin and Guitar” was published. |
| 1926 (Sept.) | A performance was given in the presence of the Swedish Crown Prince and the Princess in the detached palace of Kasumigaseki. |
| 1926 (July) | Received the title of Baron. |
| 1927 | Sponsored the Orchestra Composition Concours. |
| 1929 (Oct.) | Mr. Segovia visited Japan, and by his request wrote the commentary of the program of his recital. |
| 1928 (Nov.) | Commemorative Concert of the 15th anniversary of the orchestra was held, and a congratulatory present was given by Baron Aloisi, then the Italian ambassador. |
| 1931 (March) | Appointed as a member of the committee of the Second Conference of the International Mandolin Music Federation in Zurich, Switzerland. |
| 1941 (June) | The Orchestra was renamed “Takei-Gakudan” and the 43rd Concert was held. |
| 1942 (Jan.) | The first issue of “The Material for the Study of Mandolin and Guitar” was published. The succeding volumes were issued every other month. |
| 1943 (Dec.) | On account of the war, the 48th Concert of the Takei-Gakudan was held for the last time. |
| 1945 (25 May) | His house in Nakano was burned in an air raid. The Takei Library was saved from the fire as it was kept in a cellar. |
| 1946 (1 April) | Appointed the Grand Master of Ceremonies. |
| 1947 (27 March) | Received an appointment equal to that of the Shinnin rank, and retired. |
| 1949 (6 Nov.) | The 49th Concert (The first concert after the restoration) of the O. S.T. was held. |
| 1949 (14 Dec.) | Died suddenly, falling ill in the evening on the 12th while he was conducting a rehearsal of the orchestra. |
| 1949 (20 Dec.) | Promoted two ranks by special Imperial grace. (To the Junior Grade of the Second Rank). |
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